A new partnership with a nearby school could be the start of improvements at a junior school in mid-Norfolk.

Toftwood Junior School was rated requires improvement by Ofsted after a visit in September, the same standard it was given in 2015.

In a letter to parents, chairman of governors Paul Smith said the report recognised the school had improved from its 'previous sharp decline'.

'We acknowledge we still have to work do but we are able and committed to do so,' he said.

The report from Ofsted said: 'Since the last inspection, leaders, including governors, have not done enough to improve weaknesses in teaching and in leadership and management. Consequently, overall standards have declined.'

But there was praise for executive headteacher Joanna Pedlow, who also heads up Toftwood Infant School.

The two schools federated earlier this year, which inspectors said had 'rescued the school from further decline' and showed capacity to improve.

'The executive headteacher has acted swiftly to identify what the school does well and what needs urgent improvement,' they said.

Mr Smith said the school was working to ensure greater consistency in teaching and improvements in progression in English and maths, among other areas.

'The inspection team said that although they could see the improvements and the plans to move forwards, there had not yet been enough time to embed this in,' he said.