THERE'S still work to do at a York primary school before it can be graded as good, according to Ofsted inspectors.

A recent inspection at New Earswick Primary School, which has 212 pupils, found that teaching in Key Stage 2, for children aged 8 to 11, is letting the school down.

In a report, lead inspector Fiona McNally found that pupils in Key Stage 2 did not make consistently good progress from their starting points in reading, writing and maths. Overall the school was graded as the middle band of "requires improvement".

The report said: "Teachers do not always use information from their checks on pupils’ understanding to provide pupils with tasks that match their needs.

"Marking of pupils’ work in Key Stage 2 does not always specify what pupils need to do to improve their work. As a result, opportunities to improve pupils’ understanding and learning are missed, which slows progress."

Inspectors also recognised that the school has taken significant steps to move to good at its next inspection.

They said that since the school's last inspection in 2013, when it was also graded as "requires improvement", there has been progress in some areas. After the latest inspection, behaviour and safety have been marked as "good" and the quality of Early Years provision likewise.

Additionally, the report recognised that the areas for improvement identified during the last inspection in 2013 had been addressed; with rapid improvements to teaching and attainment in Key Stage 1, as well as the teaching of phonics and outcomes for pupils with special needs and disabilities all being singled out for praise. Pupils, too, were commended for conducting themselves well and taking pride in their work.

Head teacher, Carole Dickson, said: “Whilst we are disappointed that Ofsted has not yet graded the school as good overall, staff and governors are delighted that the school’s hard work has been recognised and that several areas have been awarded good in the recent inspection.

"They remain deeply committed to building on the progress of the past two years and to gaining this recognition as soon as possible.”

Mrs Dickson said that in order to secure further progress and move to good at its next inspection, the school is focusing on improving the quality of teaching in Key Stage 2 and ensuring systems for collecting and recording assessment data are "fully embedded and effective".