A Gorleston primary school has been given an “inadequate” rating by Ofsted inspectors for its overall effectiveness and given a notice to improve.The inspection team found that Herman Primary School, in Oriel Avenue, required “significant improvement” in reading, writing, maths and science standards, the performance and progress of pupils and attendance rates.

A Gorleston primary school has been given an “inadequate” rating by Ofsted inspectors for its overall effectiveness and given a notice to improve.

The inspection team found that Herman Primary School, in Oriel Avenue, required “significant improvement” in reading, writing, maths and science standards, the performance and progress of pupils and attendance rates.

However, it rated the school's capacity for sustained improvement as “satisfactory” and observed that senior leaders had a “sound understanding of what needs to be improved and measures to improve the quality of the teaching are beginning to have a good effect”.

While children made a good start in the nursery and continued to make good progress in reception classes, test results and teachers' assessments showed that attainment was significantly below the national average in all subjects at the end of years two and six.

The inspectors found that while the introduction of new approaches to teaching and learning had made teaching “broadly satisfactory”, there was insufficient challenge for more able pupils.

Pupils were well cared for and supported, but inconsistencies in the quality of teachers' marking meant that they were not adequately supported or guided in their learning.

The behaviour of children was assessed as “good” and it was remarked that they were positive about their school.

While strategies had been introduced to promote attendance, persistent absence affecting achievement remained a problem.

Inspectors praised the strategic vision of the governors and headteacher Kathryn Rutherford in establishing the new primary school out of the previous first and middle schools.

The school was well regarded by the local community and pupils were regularly involved in local charity and community events.

Parents and carers expressed positive views about almost all aspects of the school.

Ms Rutherford said: "There are many positive things about our new school and staff, governors, parents and pupils are all committed to ensuring that the school is a welcoming and caring place, offering strong support to children and their families.

"Our school is still developing and we have a clear strategy in place to bring about improvements for all of our pupils. Although Ofsted's overall judgement is disappointing, we know what we need to do to and are pleased that inspectors have recognised this capacity for sustained improvement.

"We are already working to raise attainment and Ofsted commented on our new approaches to teaching and learning, which are starting to have a positive impact on pupils' learning.

"We have also seen improvements in attendance levels recently and we know that regular attendance and good levels of attainment go hand in hand.”