A PRIMARY school has been given a “requires improvement” rating in an Ofsted inspection.

Wallands Community Primary School in Lewes was given the second lowest rating in all five criteria it uses to judge schools.

The inspection on February 13 and 14 found leaders and governors do not evaluate the impact of their actions well enough.

It found the proportion of pupils who are absent from school and the proportion of pupils excluded are above the national average.

It said: “Since the last inspection standards have declined.

“Leaders do not have a sufficiently detailed understanding of pupils’ attainment and progress.”

However, the report did praise safeguarding arrangements and how hard the staff have worked to improve the behaviour of pupils.

It said the school can improve its grade by working to improve attendance of pupils and raising the level of challenge for the most able.

It also said that leaders should develop the wider curriculum so that pupils progress well in subjects other than English and mathematics.