A primary school is providing satisfactory education but needs to tackle serious leadership weaknesses, according to Ofsted.

Inspectors who visited William Fletcher Primary School, in Yarnton, in February, found it lacked clear direction with unsatisfactory aspects of leadership and governance.

Although standards were above average in Year Six, the report noted they had been in decline until recently and the education was "by no means as effective as it could be".

Standards in Year Two, though satisfactory overall, have been in steady decline since 2001. Standards overall in Year Six have been consistently average, but have declined since the last inspection. Before that, they were consistently well above average.

The school's supportive, caring ethos was praised and provision for foundation pupils, along with the range of extra-curricular activities were described as good.

Pupils were found to have good attitudes to their work and behave well. The school was said to provide well for pupils with special educational needs.

Most parents were happy with the school and the standards achieved, although some were concerned at the high turnover of staff.

Overall, inspectors found the school had made unsatisfactory progress since the last inspection.

They recommended improving leadership and building on recent improvements in teaching and learning to ensure standards are raised.

The report said: "The leadership of the school has not been effective in dealing with the decline in standards over an extended period. As a consequence, leadership is unsatisfactory. The headteacher's wish to provide effectively for pupils' personal development is well-realised and day-to-day management is satisfactory -- the school functions smoothly. However, heavy involvement in teaching has constrained the headteacher's opportunities to maintain a crucial strategic vision for the school, particularly in relation to standards."

Headteacher Chris Laybourn said: "I have continued to spend a great deal of time teaching in the school, because it is an important way of supporting our excellent staff. The governors and I are now well ahead with an action plan for the future with plans to develop thinking across the curriculum."