A SCHOOL that was hit with Ofsted's worst rating has taken 'tireless and decisive' action to improve.

Blewbury Endowed CE Primary School, near Didcot, has been praised for its progress since being rated 'inadequate' in all areas of assessment in March.

The 164-pupil school was previously rated 'good' but Ofsted said poor standards and behaviour led to a decline.

Writing in a new report, inspectors said there has been a drop in pupil numbers since the rating, and the remaining children have been reorganised into mixed-age classes.

They said the previous headteacher has left in the six months since, and that the assistant headteacher has stepped up as interim head.

ALSO READ: Nursery rated 'inadequate' over safety concerns

The report said: "Leaders wasted no time in addressing shortcomings in safeguarding systems identified - decisive and swift action was taken.

"Senior leaders worked tirelessly over the summer to develop outline planning for a broader and richer curriculum for all pupils...the quality of education is showing early signs of improvement.

"The school’s ambitious action planning defines clear strategies to support continued improvements."

Ofsted said it could see a 'clear trail of improvements' and noted that staff morale has 'transformed.'

The report added: "There is a shared sense of purpose and drive to improve standards.

"Leaders and governors have quickly nurtured much more positive relationships with staff and are realistic about the pressures in terms of workload."

The school received the monitoring inspection in mid September, and feedback from the education watchdog was published on Monday.

ALSO READ: Blewbury school hails first eco-friendly fete as a success

Monitoring inspections do not award a new rating, but serve to check on a school's progress.

Inspectors concluded that leaders at Blewbury are taking 'effective action' and that the plan for improvement is fit for purpose.

A team effort has 'ensured a more caring culture,' Ofsted said, and pupils reported feeling 'safe and well looked-after.'

The regulator said pupils' behaviour has improved significantly and children were 'smart and polite' during the inspection last month.

It was the first monitoring visit since the inadequate rating.

Council-run schools rated 'inadequate' are forced to convert into an academy, and Ofsted said 'no firm decisions have been made' about which multi-academy trust Blewbury will join.

ALSO READ: Labour plans to scrap and replace Ofsted

In a newsletter sent out shortly after the inspection, interim headteacher Becky Costello thanked parents for their 'overwhelming support' during the visit.

She added: "Our main school improvement priority this term is to ensure quality teaching is happening in every class and that all children are making rapid progress as a result.

"We started the term with some excellent training from our inclusion consultant, who worked with all staff on how to maximise impact on pupil outcomes."

The school will likely have another few monitoring inspections before being fully re-assessed and given a new rating.

'Inadequate' is the lowest standard, followed by 'requires improvement', 'good' and 'outstanding.'