A HEADTEACHER has hit back after being criticised in an Ofsted report. Michael O'Hare teaches in one of the two junior classes at St Joseph's RC Primary School in Skerton, Lancaster, singled out by government inspectors as sometimes having unchallenging teaching not matched to the pupils needs. Inspectors claimed the majority of unsatisfactory teaching occurred in the middle of Key Stage 2 junior section and criticised Mr O'Hare personally.

The report stated: "The headteacher, though loyal and conscientious does not provide the school with strong leadership. There are insufficient clearly identified priorities and strategies for raising pupils' attainment. The curriculum is inconsistently taught across the school and there is no whole-school view of what pupils should learn and when. Systems to monitor the progress of pupils are not in place. The school development plan is not a useful management tool. The role of the co-ordinator is poorly defined. For these reasons the leadership does not provide the school with a clear educational direction and consequently there are serious weaknesses in the leadership and management of the school."

However the report does praise the staff at the school in several key areas and states: "They (the pupils) make good progress through the nursery and reception classes and by the time they reach compulsory school age, most pupils achieve the desirable learning outcomes for pupils of this age."

Mr O'Hare said he didn't wish to comment much further on a statement prepared on behalf of teachers and governors, but did say: "It's about what's going on all the time in school, not what people say who come in here for four days."

And chairman of the governors Fr Philip Smith backed the staff at the school. He said: "Although the inspectors have praised some aspects of St Josephs' they have identified a number of problems we need to tackle.

"We are pleased that the enthusiasm and good behaviour of the vast majority of our pupils has been recognised and praised. We know that this is a major factor in getting the best out of our pupils.

"The headteacher, staff and governing body will continue to work together to bring about the improvements that are needed in the school."

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