THE new headteacher of a North-East school has pledged to make big improvements following the results of a Government inspection.

Jesmond Road Primary School, in Hartlepool, was visited by Ofsted inspectors. Their report said the school provides a satisfactory standard of education for pupils but has some serious weaknesses. The report said strengths include providing good opportunities to enrich learning, good pupil behaviour, good spiritual, moral, social and cultural education, and good support for pupils with special educational needs.

It says the school has good links with parents, works well in partnership with the community and provides good opportunities to enrich learning.

However, the inspectors also said although the quality of education is satisfactory overall and parents' views are very positive, standards in English, maths and science are well below average. They said teaching is unsatisfactory because teachers' expectations of what pupils can achieve is too low, and governors, leaders and managers do not concentrate enough on raising achievement.

Headteacher Jane Loomes, who took over at the school in September, said major improvements would be made to make the school a success.

She said: "Together with the rest of the staff, I am determined to address the issues raised by Ofsted. We are putting together a detailed action plan that will lead to substantial improvements.

"We are pleased that the inspection team praised the ethos and atmosphere of the school. They felt that it has the ability to move forward under new leadership together with a new, invigorated governing body.

"The school will be working with the Local Education Authority, which will support our improvement programme and check on our progress.

"I know that by everyone working together, we will be able to make Jesmond Road Primary School the successful school it deserves to be for the children and community it serves."