FOUR years after its last inspection, William Edwards School in Grays remains rated overall as 'requires improvement' following its latest Ofsted inspection.

When last inspected in May 2019 the school on Stifford Clays Road received a good rating for 'quality of teaching, learning and assessment' and 'personal development, behaviour and welfare'.

However, effectiveness of leadership and management' and 'outcomes for pupils' required improvement.

Once again, after the inspection on 7 and 8 November William Edwards has two good ratings in an assessment system that has been simplified. It remains good 'at 'personal development' and is also 'good' in 'leadership and management'.

'The quality of education' and 'behaviour and attitudes' are classified as 'requires improvement'.

Though there are positives, problems with children's behaviour have been highlighted in the most recent report, which can be viewed in full via this link.

Writing about what it's like to attend William Edwards, inspectors reported: "Most pupils at William Edwards feel part of the school community and see positive changes happening in the school, such as improving behaviour at social times.

"They feel that the school supports them and that, if they have a concern, they will be taken seriously. Pupils rarely experience unkind language. Pupils are safe here.

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"In some lessons, the expectations of staff are not always high enough. The work pupils are asked to do does not always challenge them. Pupils are not always sure about what they have learned. They struggle to remember important information.

"Some pupils do not take pride in their work. The quality of the work they produce is not high. This is too often not addressed by their teachers.

"Some pupils do not always behave well. In some classes, pupils are not able to work hard and concentrate because their learning is interrupted by poor behaviour. This disruption is not always challenged, so it continues.

"There are opportunities for pupils to develop character outside the classroom.

"The school is proud of its large Duke of Edinburgh's Award cohort. The school also offers a range of extra-curricular activities and visits and trips abroad.

"Pupils can also have input into the life of the school through leadership opportunities, including taking on the role of sports leader."

Teaching comes under particular scrutiny, with inspectors saying: "The quality of education at the school is not yet good because the curriculum in some subjects does not sufficiently challenge pupils.

"It lacks ambition.

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"In some subjects, the work given to pupils is too simplistic for their age, and the resources they are provided with do not support their learning.

"Pupils do not always understand how well they are doing because the way they are assessed is not effective.

"The feedback they receive on their work, for example through whole-class comments, is not valued or acted on by the pupils.

"In some subjects, where there is a defined and rigorous approach to assessing pupils' knowledge, progress is better."

The school is recognised for its efforts with special needs children.

The report says: "The identification and assessment of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is effective.

"Teachers know their pupils well and are provided with appropriate information in relation to their needs. The needs of pupils with SEND are typically met in class.

"SEND provision is monitored closely."

Headteacher at William Edwards is Simon Bell. The school is part of South West Essex Community Education Trust, which means other people in the trust also have responsibility for running the school. The trust is run by the chief executive officer, Stephen Munday, and overseen by a board of trustees, chaired by Viv Northall.