A SPECIAL educational needs school has been told it 'requires improvement' in all areas after a visit from Ofsted inspectors.

The inspection, which was carried out before the summer break at George Hastwell school on Walney, said 'the curriculum is not designed well enough to help the students know and remember more.' 

The report recognises the school has improved in a short space of time and that it recognises that the curriculum needs to be improved. 

However, the report said: "In some subjects, teachers do not establish what pupils already know and understand before they introduce new learning. 

"Consequently, gaps appear and subsequent learning does not build on pupils' and students' prior knowledge."

This means the foundational knowledge set out in the early years and sixth form that students need to learn is missing, said the report.

This hampers their ability to achieve 'what they should', it said.

The report criticised leaders for not ensuring that assessment strategies are used consistently enough to plan the next steps for pupils and students. 

The report said it can lead to poor behaviour as the pupils are given learning activities that are not geared for the pupils' and students' needs. 

The inspection also recommended that learners are given books that match their phonics knowledge to improve their ability to read fluently and confidently.

However, the report did highlight that pupils 'enjoy the different activities on offer to them' such as the 'sign and sing' after-school club and the planned 'Hastonbury' festival. 

The report also said: "Pupils' and students' behaviour is improving because staff help pupils to use different strategies to manage their emotions. However, pupils' behaviour sometimes disrupts learning. Occasionally, pupils fall out.

"That said, staff are quick to intervene and help pupils to understand different points of view. Pupils told inspectors that staff deal with bullying effectively." 

George Hastwell School was approached for comment.