A FLAGSHIP school has been placed in special measures following a scathing report by inspectors.

Hollin Primary, which moved into a £7m state-of-the-art new building 18 months ago, was heavily criticised by Ofsted officials for ‘failing to give pupils an acceptable standard of education’.

Inspectors also laid into school management who they said were not ‘demonstrating the capacity to secure the necessary improvement’.

In a highly critical report, Ofsted inspectors said:

  • The school is not providing value for money.

  • There is an insufficient focus on improving pupils academic achievement.

  • Despite satisfactory levels of progress when pupils begin school, standards for Year 6 pupils are ‘exceptionally low’.

  • Teaching is 'inadequate' meaning pupils’ achievement in core subjects is low.

  • Expectations are often too low meaning children are not challenged.

  • Pupils who struggle with work are unable to access programmes to help them.

  • There is an ‘inadequate’ curriculum that fails to teach pupils' basic skills.

  • Leadership, management and governance are inadequate.

    However, inspectors conceded the Waverley Road school has endured a difficult two years following its move in September 2007 to its new shared facility with Newlands School alongisde abnormal levels of staff turbulence.

    They also praised staff for creating a warm and welcoming environment for the schools' 204 pupils, which they enjoy attending and learning in, alongside satisfactory levels of care, guidance and support.

    The school’s art and music departments, along with the range of after school activities, were also praised while it was noted previous inspections had returned satisfactory results.

    Headteacher Margarette Chapman said she would remain at the helm to return the school to ‘its rightful place as a leading primary school in Middleton’.

    She said: "The staff and governors are determined to turn things around as soon as possible. We have had to manage the challenges presented by a move to a new building.  We know there is a good deal to be done and we will be working closely with the authority in order to bring about the rapid improvement that the pupils deserve, making sure they have the resources required to bring about positive change quickly. I have been particularly pleased by the support from parents, and the unity showed by the staff and governors."

    "We are all proud to work at Hollin Primary School and will continue to work hard to progress the children and further enhance the Every Child Matters Agenda so that all children will benefit and be able to demonstrate all of their skills."

    Sue Brown, head of schools at Rochdale Council, said an action plan to turn round the fortunes of the school was being discussed.

    She said: "Hollin Primary has great potential and we will be supporting the school to move forward. Special measures enables additional resources and support to be directed to the school. In our experience schools can emerge much stronger from the process. We have high expectations of Hollin Primary and, with the support of staff, parents and pupils, are working to make the school a success."

    A spokesman for Rochdale Council said parents would be kept informed of plans to improve the school’s performance.

    The full Ofsted report can be read at www.ofsted.gov.uk/oxedu_providers/full/(urn)/105792