A school in Reading has been told to improve by education inspectors.

The Wren secondary school in West Reading was inspected by education watchdog Ofsted earlier this year.

The school was previously rated ‘Good’ during its inspection by the state schools regulator in 2018.

But at the latest inspection this year, Ofsted representatives found that the quality of teaching has declined over the years.

The inspectors said: “Currently, the quality of curriculum and teaching is inconsistent.

“This means that pupils are not yet receiving a good quality of education across all subjects and key stages.

“The important knowledge and skills that pupils need to learn have not been carefully identified and organised. This means that teachers do not always know exactly what should be taught and when.

“Some teachers do not always use effective strategies to help pupils learn. Consequently, pupils do not always learn as well as they should.”

To address identified issues, the inspectors said the school needs to continue to develop the curriculum to ensure pupils accumulate key knowledge and skills over time in all subjects from Years 7 to 13.

Inspectors also told leaders that they need to ensure that staff know how best to introduce new learning and help pupils understand and remember what they are taught.

For pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), leaders were told that staff need to provide further training and support to ensure that all pupils get the precise help that they require to be successful.

Despite ultimately rating The Wren ‘Requires Improvement’ the inspectors did have praise for the learning culture that has been created at the school.

The inspectors said: “Pupils are benefitting from the culture of aspiration that is being developed at the school.

“They know how important the school value of ‘ambition’ is. Pupils take on many leadership roles to develop important life skills. This includes many pupils who act as prefects.

“Pupils have access to a wide range of extra-curricular activities, including the popular sports clubs. These experiences, along with interesting trips, help to enrich school life.”

Additionally, inspectors observed that bullying is never tolerated, efforts that pupils themselves have acknowledged.

Ofsted inspections are judged on core parameters: The quality of teaching and sixth-form provision for Years 12 and 13 where applicable, behaviour and attitudes personal development and leadership and management.

The quality of teaching and sixth-form provision were both rated ‘Requires Improvement’.

However, inspectors judged that The Wren remained ‘Good’ at behaviour and attitudes, personal development and leadership and management.

The visit was held by four inspectors over two days in January, with the rating being published late February.

Commenting on positives mentioned in the report, John Salberg, Principal at The Wren said: “I am extremely proud of each and every member of The Wren for the incredible journey we have been on.

“This report captures our passion, dedication and determination to provide the very best all round education to our 1,000 strong school community.

“Our Progress 8 score for the last academic year, putting us in the top six per cent of improved schools, gives a statistic illustration of this.”

READ MORE: What Reading secondary school is doing well and progress being made after being told to improve by inspectors 

Controversy surrounds the reporting of Ofsted inspection verdicts since the death of Caversham Primary School headteacher Ruth Perry last year. 

The National Education Union (NEU) has called for Ofsted to be 'abolished' during its annual conference from 3-6 April. 

Members have argued that the regulator 'causes more harm than good' in motion 9 of the conference. 

Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the NEU, said: “NEU members have made their feelings very clear: Ofsted causes more harm than good and we need urgent and fundamental reform.

“The profession can be trusted to do their jobs effectively without a punitive, high-stakes system to keep them in line.

“An inspection system should not cause teachers and other school staff sleepless nights, anxiety, and an urge to leave the profession. Workload and stress are hugely increased while a school is in the ‘inspection window’ and many school leaders feel the need to prepare with ‘mocksteads’ and practice deep-dives.

“A collaborative model of inspection, schools working with an external school improvement partner, would support leaders to make decisions in the best interests of their pupils and increase capacity for genuine school improvement.

“Whilst the NEU continues to campaign on a national level for a new system which is supportive, effective and fair, it is vital that our members are protected from the harmful impact of Ofsted on the ground.

“Our new Ofsted risk assessment form offers members a means of organising their workplace to ensure the health and wellbeing of members is both prioritised and protected – before, during and after an inspection.

“In the meantime, we urge NEU members to cease work as Ofsted inspectors and not to display their school’s judgements on banners and other publicity materials.”