Milton Court Primary Academy has been told it requires improvement by Ofsted two years after getting the same grading.

Pupil behaviour, teaching quality and outcomes for pupils were given the rating, but the school was told it was good in leadership and management and early years provision.

Inspectors compiled the report following 18 visits to classrooms and observing learning over two days in March.

They also took into account questionnaire responses from parents and staff.

In areas which needed improvement, it found pupils did not make as much progress as they should.

The report said: “Leaders recognise a legacy of weak teaching means many older pupils, and others who have left recently, have crucial gaps in their knowledge and basic skills.”

It went on: “Not enough pupils learn in depth or attain standards that exceed those expected for their age.” It was noted pupils are generally well behaved when at the Brewery Road school but said too many are absent too often. In outlining its strengths, inspectors found the school’s new leadership team, appointed in 2015, was highly effective and had a clear plan to raise standards.

It was also noted children make an “increasingly positive start” to their time in school. “The early years, including the nursery, is led strongly and provides a rich learning environment for children,” inspectors added.

The academy has 204 pupils and in 2015 scored the same ‘requires improvement’ rating.

Head teacher Richard Minton said: “The leadership team is very pleased the recent Ofsted inspection recognised the significant changes put in place since September 2015 to bring about long-term improvement.

“We are determined to improve how well our children do in formal tests and to go further than this, and make a positive and long-lasting impact, addressing the clear disadvantages faced by many of the young people in our local community.”