Changes are to be introduced at Cromwell Academy in Huntingdon after inspectors rated the primary school as ‘requiring improvement’.

In a report published last week, Ofsted inspector Kim Hall said that the head teacher had “not maintained the good standard of education” and added that leaders and governors had not worked together as productively as they should.

Ms Hall added that governors had not held the head teacher to account well enough and said that parents had expressed concerns about the “inconsistent progress” of pupils.

In response to the report, the school has promised to take swift action.

Acting head teacher, Lauren Blyth said: “The overall judgement of the school is that it requires improvement. Clearly, we are disappointed with this, but we are reassured that Ofsted have acknowledged some of the positives which reflect well on the school community as a whole.

“Inspectors found that pupils are ‘polite and well-mannered’ and that they ‘conduct themselves well in class and at play times’. Their ‘spiritual, moral, social and cultural education is provided for well’ and ‘the breakfast and after-school clubs provide a safe and secure environment’.

“However, some of the headlines within the inspection report will make for uncomfortable reading. I would like to reassure you that the staff and governors are embracing this judgement and see it as a vehicle to secure the improvements we know we can make.”

Ms Blyth said that staff were already working on an action plan to help bring about improvements and also announced that plans were afoot for the school to join a multi-academy trust.

An open meeting has been scheduled for next month for parents to find out more about the plans, which could see the school join a trust that includes Hinchingbrooke School and St Ivo School.

In a letter delivered to parents in May, Gary Weston, on behalf of the school’s governing body, said: “A number of schools have already set up and joined multi-academy trusts and schools are coming under increasing pressure to join together.

“As the vast majority of Cromwell Academy’s students progress to Hinchingbrooke School, it is clearly advantageous for our schools to strengthen their partnership.

“The decision has been made in consultation with the Department for Education, with whom the governing body of Cromwell Academy will be discussing the project further over the coming months.”