AN inspection of Worcester's Stanley Road Primary School has criticised attendance levels but the headteacher says she is delighted with an otherwise good report.

Anne Potter said attendance levels were below average because of the challenges faced by the school's multi-cultural mix.

Mrs Potter said: "Our attendance levels were actually just below the national average and, to be honest, we jump for joy when we read we are average because of the difficulties we are faced with when the children first come to us.

"Many of our children go on extended breaks to Pakistan.

"Plus we have a 20 per cent turnover every year. Some go without telling us and they're put down as absent until we know for sure."

The Office for Standards in Education complimented the 'clear vision' of Mrs Potter, who has been at the school, near the Wyld's Lane area of Worcester, for 18 months.

The report concluded that standards in English, maths and science in Year 2 were well below average.

Standards at either end of the school were higher, however. In Year 6 (the final year) teaching in most subjects was deemed good and inspectors were impressed by the nursery and reception classes.

The report also added: "Concerns were raised (by parents) about the leadership and management of the school. The inspection team agrees with this to some extent." She added: "The inspectors clearly recognised the very special qualities that we're so proud of at Stanley Road, such as the importance we place on high standards of behaviour, personal development and pupils' awareness of their own and others' culture.,

THE SCHOOL

The school caters for 269 pupils between the ages of three and 11. Ofsted says the socio-economic backgrounds of most children are below average.

An above average proportion of pupils has special educational needs.

For an above average percentage of pupils, English is not the first language, or they are from minority ethnic groups, including 129 pupils of Asian background.

COULD DO BETTER

Raise the standards of Year 2 pupils in English, maths and science and of Year 6 pupils in science.

Develop an effective senior management team.

Raise pupils' rates of attendance.

Develop teachers' use of marking so it links to pupils' targets and they learn more about how they can improve their work.

TOP MARKS FOR

The very clear vision by the headteacher ensures the school is always seeking ways to improve standards, although there is not an effective senior management team.

Good teaching means that standards in Year 6 are average in English.

Teachers and teaching assistants in the nursery and reception classes insist on very high standards.

Pupils' awareness of their own and other cultures is well developed.

Curriculum enrichment is very good.