A LARGE north Dorset primary school has received a damning report following a visit from government inspectors.

They criticised many aspects of Shaftesbury CofE primary school, giving it an overall rating of Requires Improvement.

Inspectors spent two days at the Wincombe Lane school in February when they visited classrooms, looked at children's work, talked to pupils and staff and studied documents.

Lead inspector Mike Brady said outcomes for pupils in English are "not good" and that the actions of the school's leaders have not raised outcomes in reading and writing

He said governors and directors do not stringently hold leaders to account for the achievement of pupils and added: "Leaders have not responded quickly enough to the demands of the new primary school curriculum.

"Their expectations of staff and pupils are not high enough. Teachers' assessment of pupils' abilities is not consistently accurate across the school. Teachers do not plan in a way that ensures that activities routinely match the needs of the most able pupils in order for them to achieve."

The report also criticised the lack of opportunity for pupils to practise writing across the curriculum.

Shaftesbury primary has 416 pupils between the ages of four and eleven and is a larger than average primary school with 15 classes.

Most pupils are white British, the proportion of disadvantaged pupils is above average, as is the proportion with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

Inspectors acknowledged that leaders know what needs to improve quickly and praised personal development, behaviour and welfare.

They said: "Leaders have established a safe environment where pupils are well behaved, respectful and tolerant of others. Many pupils are confident and self-assured.

"Leaders and staff ensure that pupils' welfare is a high priority. Vulnerable pupils are nurtured and well cared for."