A SCHOOL has been told it still 'requires improvement' despite being praised in a new report.

Abbey Woods Academy in Berinsfield was given Ofsted's second-lowest rating in 2017, and has maintained the same result after its latest inspection in September.

The new report, published last week, states: "Abbey Woods is a happy and welcoming school. Pupils are cheerful and kind towards each other.

"The atmosphere around school is calm and harmonious - the school has a particularly supportive, caring and nurturing ethos."

Although behaviour and attitudes, personal development and early years provision were all rated 'good ' this time, the regulator said leadership and management and quality of education still needed work, so the overall rating was unchanged.

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Some aspects of teaching were highlighted as positives, but Ofsted said the 'quality of the wider curriculum is not good.'

However, the report added: "Leaders and staff are united in their desire to make sure that pupils develop into considerate and well-rounded people."

The school is part of The Anthem Schools Trust and had 195 children on roll during Ofsted's latest visit.

In a letter sent home last week, representatives of the trust wrote: "Whilst we are obviously all disappointed that the school did not receive a higher Ofsted grading, we are nonetheless excited about the opportunity to improve the school moving forwards."

They added that they are 'confident' of 'rapid improvements' with the support of the trust and Ofsted.