Scarning primary school needs to improve its teaching across the school and strengthen its leadership and management, Ofsted inspectors have said.

A report issued this week has placed the school, near Dereham, in the grade three category that 'requires improvement' and said it will be inspected again within 24 months to check that appropriate measures are being put in place.

The new category replaces the old 'satisfactory' classification which was given to the school on the previous inspection.

Outlining the areas that need attention the report says that 'pupils' standards in reading, writing and mathematics are no better than average, there is not enough good teaching to ensure that pupils make consistently good progress throughout the school, and improvements have been too slow'.

It does praise the school for its strengths including improving attendance, raising attainment in Key Stage 1 and giving children a good start to school.

It adds: 'Some teaching at the school is good and, at times, outstanding. Pupils enjoy school and feel happy, safe and well supported.'

At the time of the inspection in November interim measures for the school's leadership were in place during the absence of headteacher Grahame Chambers.

Tony Chapman, headteacher at Mattishall Primary, had stepped in to take over as acting headteacher although Mr Chambers has now returned.

Mr Chambers did not wish to comment on the report but in a letter to parents Mr Chapman said: 'The report outlines our current strengths and areas for improvement and we have already made significant strides in addressing the latter. We would like to draw your attention to the good behaviour displayed by the children during this recent visit and by the positive responses from many parents, creating a welcoming and friendly environment in which to learn.

'The Government is striving to make all schools 'good' schools and anything less than this requires improvement. The report makes reference to areas that are not good; this does not mean it is bad, only highlights areas for development.

'We hope that we can demonstrate a much stronger sense of purpose when we are next inspected.'