A NELSON school has been told it ‘requires improvement’ after an inspection from education watchdog Ofsted.

St John Southworth Primary School was rated as ‘good’ in its last inspection, but it has now dropped a level.

Inspectors said that standards in Year Six in 2013 were below average and progress was slow, with the quality of teaching in Key Stage Two not always good enough.

David Byrne, lead Ofsted inspector, said: “Achievement requires improvement because progress in Key Stage Two, until recently, has been slow and standards have been below average.

The school has taken action to remedy this situation.

“A legacy of underachievement remains, however.

“Standards are still, at best, average in reading, writing and mathematics; the most able pupils are not yet making consistently good progress.

“And standards in spelling, punctuation and grammar are below average at Key Stage Two.