The headteacher of a Lowestoft primary school has pledged to make it a good place for children to learn, after an Ofsted inspection highlighted areas needing improvement.

Martyn Payne, who has been head at Pakefield Primary since January, said his aim was for the school to be rated good – with the long-term goal of becoming outstanding.

Following a two-day inspection in June, Ofsted rated the school as requiring improvement.

The report says pupils' progress is varied; children do not practice writing enough; tasks set by teachers are not sufficiently difficult to make pupils think hard; and the children have few chances to solve real-life maths problems.

It also says teachers are not challenging pupils' thinking or extending their knowledge to a sufficient degree; that they do not provide enough feedback on work; and that leaders and managers have not established consistently high expectations for what pupils can achieve.

However, the report praises pupils' behaviour, concludes progress made at early years foundation stage is good, and highlights the strong leadership of Mr Payne, combined with support from governors, in ensuring teaching and achievement are rapidly improving.

Mr Payne said: 'I think it (the inspection report) is a fair account of our school when the report is read as a whole.

'I'm extremely pleased we received a good rating in relation to the behaviour of our children as there are wonderful to work with every day.

'I'm also delighted that the children have been recognised for their fantastic attitudes towards their work, staff and each other.

'Since I have been in post, all staff have been working hard to improve progress and outcomes for our children as reflected in the report.

'All members of the school community need to continue to develop the very best outcomes for our children.

'A number of strategies have already been put in place to help us make the improvements that need to be made to enable us to achieve good or better in our next inspection.

'I know that children will continue to be encouraged and supported to enable them to achieve their very best.'

Before he took over at Pakefield Primary, Mr Payne was deputy headteacher at Northfield St Nicholas Primary School.

The previous Ofsted report for Pakefield Primary, in June 2011, rated its overall effectiveness as good.