A primary school blighted by poor teaching and dwindling pupil numbers is not preparing children "well enough for life in modern Britain", Ofsted has ruled.

Parkside in Canterbury - on the deprivation-hit Poets Estate off Sturry Road - has been ordered to improve in every area following an inspection by the education watchdog.

Poor results in maths and English, high pupil absence and the "sloppy" appearance of children all come in for criticism in a 10-page report.

Failures are also highlighted over the personal development of children, who are said to have little understanding of religions and the importance of diversity and equality.

There is praise, however, for the caring nature of staff, new teaching initiatives and recent progress in maths and writing standards for pupils, who are happy and enjoy going to school, Ofsted reports.

Parkside has made improvements since recruiting the head of a successful Margate primary to oversee a turnaround.

James Williams, who leads Garlinge Primary, was appointed executive head at Parkside in January, two months after his school was asked by Kent County Council to provide leadership support to the struggling city primary.

Despite Ofsted stating he has "acted with urgency to improve standards", the school has still been graded as 'requires improvement' - the second worst rating and the same as at the last inspection in 2017.

It last recorded a 'good' rating in 2013, when it had 157 pupils on its role.

With large parts of nearby housing turned over to student accommodation, pupil numbers have since fallen by more than a third to just 101.

"Pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development does not prepare them well enough for life in modern Britain" - Ofsted

Its budget has been hit, with staff recruitment tougher and pupils in many years now taught in mixed-age classes.

In March last year the school’s "ineffective" governing body was ditched and replaced with an interim executive board (IEB).

Ofsted has been impressed with the "knowledgeable and committed" IEB, and says improvements have been made since Mr Williams’s appointment in January.

The inspector writes: “Over a short period of time, he has introduced simplified assessment systems, strengthened teachers’ accountability, increased expectations and started to improve teaching, learning and assessment.”

But Mr Ingham raises concerns about persistent pupil absence being far higher than the national average, and the ineffective use of extra funding for poorer children.

Younger pupils have not reached expected levels in phonics, and reading and writing standards for older children have not been hit, although progress is beginning to be made.

The inspector also suggests pupils are ill-prepared to live in a diverse society.

He writes: “Pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development does not prepare them well enough for life in modern Britain.

"For example, pupils have only a very basic understanding of different types of religious beliefs and of the importance of diversity and equality.”

The inspector adds: “Some pupils are sloppy in their appearance.

"Leaders are aware that pupils do not always wear their uniform with pride. Often, pupils do not wear the correct uniform.”

Mr Williams insists the improvements noted show Parkside has a "very bright future".

He said: “We are very pleased that the improvement strategies that have been initiated were seen to already be making a difference.

"We are also pleased that the inspector recognised that 'pupils behave well in lessons... concentrating on what their teachers tell them and work well with their classmates'.

“It was important staff morale was recognised to now be at an improved level and I know that we have a very committed team who will work to improve Parkside further.

“It has already been noted that since the report, results have shown large improvements at key measuring points, with a much improved percentage of our Year 6 pupils leaving the school at age-related expectations.”

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