Children at a Moray school are not receiving the quality of teaching they should be, according to a report published this week.
East End primary school in Elgin was graded weak in key areas following a recent visit from Education Scotland inspectors.
The team found pupils’ maths and English skills were below average, and teaching styles also came in for criticism.
The report said: “In many lessons children are too passive in their learning, and often teachers spend too much time talking to the class.
“Staff do not always manage challenging behaviour well.
“Across the school, the pace of learning needs to be increased and the range of learning activities broadened.
“East End primary school provides a caring environment, but standards of teaching and learning are in need of improvement.”
Inspectors found pupils’ writing was not to the level they would expect, children’s stories were shorter than they should be and they did not display a range of skills.
The report also detailed “significant gaps” in children’s mathematical knowledge, including mental calculation.
It said: “Only children in P7 are making sufficient progress in applying their numeracy skills to real-life problems such as managing budgets.”
And although pupils displayed knowledge of the solar system, their science skills were described as “less well developed”.
Inspectors also judged that children with special needs were not progressing as they should be.
Moray Council carried out a review of the school in January 2014, which identified seven areas for improvement and these are now being enacted by head teacher Gail McIntosh, who recently took up the post on a permanent basis.
The report said: “Mrs McIntosh and her staff engaged fully with the inspection process.
“They sought and implemented our advice, making some immediate improvements. They are very keen to improve the school.”
Moray Council’s acting head of schools and curriculum development, Vivienne Cross, said action was being taken to turn the situation around.
“Officers have already met with the head teacher to discuss the plan for improvement,” she said.
“The school will benefit from a planned programme of support, including input from Education Scotland, in order that they secure the improvements necessary.”
Inspectors will revisit the school within the next year to see what progress has been made.
The nursery at East End received praise, being judged satisfactory in two of the three key criteria.
The report said: “Nursery staff work effectively with other agencies to support children. They set tasks at the correct level for the majority of children.”