Ofsted tells once outstanding Lambeth school to improve

A previously outstanding South London school has been told to improve by Ofsted after inspectors found naughty kids kept interrupting lessons. Paxton Primary School in Lambeth was rated "requires improvement" in all areas after a two-day inspection in June.

Inspectors said children's learning was disrupted by poorly-behaved pupils in some lessons. It added that some older kids at the school used "discriminatory language towards each other".

Ofsted's report published on July 25 read: "Many pupils behave well. However, there are classes in which behaviour is often disruptive. Leaders recognise this and have put in place strategies to better manage behaviour. However, this has not yet had the desired impact, and learning in these classes continues to be disrupted."

The report added that kids at the school weren't taught a foreign language, in breach of national guidance about what primary-aged students should learn. The school was also criticised for its narrow curriculum which didn't fully prepare pupils for secondary school. 

The Ofsted report said: "Pupils in key stage 2 do not routinely learn a modern foreign language. This means that pupils do not study a broad curriculum and are not fully prepared for their secondary education."

Inspectors criticised teachers for leaving some special educational needs students to complete activities that didn't help them to learn. In science and history lessons pupils weren't taught about different types of evidence, while in art lessons students didn't have the chance to practise skills in sketchbooks. 

The report continued: "In some subjects, important aspects have not been well considered. For example, in science and history, pupils are not taught about types of evidence or how they are used. Similarly, in art, pupils do not use sketchbooks to practise different techniques. 

"Teachers do not always make use of this guidance when considering the curriculum for pupils with SEND [special educational needs and disabilities]. While many pupils are well supported to access the same curriculum as their peers, others complete activities that do not help them learn and remember more."

But inspectors did praise the school for its teaching of maths and religious education. In these subjects teachers had identified key information kids needed to learn, Ofsted said. 

The report added: "In mathematics, children in the early years practise counting. This supports them to add and subtract confidently. Older pupils use this knowledge to solve complex problems accurately. Similarly, in religious education, younger pupils learn about different faiths. Older pupils draw on this knowledge when making comparisons between religious traditions and practices." 

Paxton Primary School was previously visited by Ofsted in March 2013. At the time inspectors noted pupils behaved "outstandingly well." Paxton Primary School has been contacted for comment.