Ofsted has found pupils at a Melksham primary school are more than two years behind in their learning and has given it their lowest rating of ‘inadequate’ following an inspection.

Their report says River Mead Primary, formerly known as Kings Park Primary, has not been meeting government standards since becoming an academy two years ago.

Last year pupils in Year 6 who were supported by ‘additional funding’ were more than two years behind other pupils nationally in maths and reading, and nearly two years behind in writing.

However the report, published last week, emphasises that since leaving The United Learning Trust in September and becoming part of The Mead Academy Trust, which also oversees The Mead’s Hilperton and Wingfield sites and Castle Mead primary schools in Trowbridge, it is making considerable improvements.

Three inspectors visited in January and observed 14 lessons, an assembly and spoke to some of the 279 pupils. They also reviewed questionnaire responses of 44 parents.

The report states: “Pupils’ achievement is inadequate. Pupils have not made enough progress and have fallen further behind since the school first became a sponsored academy in May 2013.

“The attainment of pupils at the end of Year 6, including those for whom additional funding is provided, is well below average in reading, writing and mathematics.

“Teaching has not enabled pupils to make rapid progress from generally low starting points.”

The school was also judged 'inadequate’ at their previous inspection in January 2013 and required special measures.

Lyssy Bolton , executive headteacher of The Mead Academy Trust said they are ‘working tirelessly’ to transform the school. She added: “The historical legacy of underachievement resulted in an overall ‘serious weaknesses’ judgement.

“The Mead team has worked tirelessly to transform the school – everyone deserves recognition for their effort and impact – not a knock for the history that we can do nothing about.

“There was nothing inadequate seen during the inspection, and much that is good. We are delighted that the school is making such rapid progress, and we will leave no stone unturned to secure the best outcomes for our children.”

The report states new senior leaders have taken ‘extremely robust action to improve every aspect of the school’. It adds: “Everything the school now does has a strong focus on improving pupils’ achievement.”

The full report can be seen here