Ofsted said Preesall's Carter's Charity Voluntary Controlled Primary 'needs attention' in four areas

Primary school pupils do not achieve as much as they should, according to its latest inspection report.

An Ofsted inspection team visited Carter's Charity Voluntary Controlled Primary, and rated the school as 'needs attention' in four areas.

Lead inspector Dianne Holcroft said many pupils were failing to get expected results in reading, writing and mathematics.

She said: "Pupils do not achieve as well as they should. Older pupils are not prepared well enough for the next stage of their education.

"Disadvantaged pupils, including some with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), achieve less well in their peers."

However, the report said pupils got off to a good start in reception with youngsters performing better than the national average in phonics.

The teaching and curriculum was also highlighted as needing attention at the Preesall school.

The report said: "Some parts of the curriculum are not taught effectively. In some lessons, teachers do not select activities that match pupils' needs closely enough.

"When work is too hard or too easy, pupils lose focus and their attitudes to learning deteriorate."

It added: "Fundamental skills such as spelling and handwriting are not reinforced evenly across subjects.

"Pupils do not develop these skills as well as they should. This makes it harder for pupils to record their work clearly and explain their learning."

The inspection team also found that pupils with SEND were falling behind with staff requiring extra training to help them.

Ms Holcroft said: "Leaders have not ensured that all staff have the skills to adapt their teaching for pupils with SEND.

"Leaders do not check whether the support pupils receive is making a difference to their learning over time."

However, the inspectors said children at the 174-pupil school on Pilling Lane were well-behaved and appeared to enjoy their time at the primary.

The report concluded: "Pupils feel safe and well cared for. Staff know pupils well. They deal with any bullying quickly. This helps pupils feel secure and supported.

"The values of kindness, respect and responsibility run throughout the school."