The headteacher of a Hazlemere primary school which was bumped from a "good" rating and told it "requires improvement" has defended Ofsted inspectors’ findings, adding that it shows the direction the school needs to head in as it continues its "journey".

Manor Farm Community Junior School, in Rose Avenue, was visited by inspectors from the education watchdog on July 8 and 9, with the report being published on September 5.

The school was told it requires improvement in all areas except the behaviour and safety of pupils, which was judged to be "good".

Yet pupil achievement, the quality of teaching and the leadership and management of the school we deemed to be below par.

Andrew Sierant, headteacher, joined Manor Farm in January and said there is a lot of work to do to ensure more progress is made in the future.

Mr Sierant said: "We felt beforehand we knew that (there was work to do) but the school has gone through a lot of transitions in the last few months.

"There were different changes of leadership at various levels so I have come in and informed staff and parents we are on a journey. The Ofsted inspection came in at a good time for us. It helped us consolidate where we are as a school."

The inspectors’ report outlined that the school was not "good" because: "Pupils do not make consistently good progress. As a result, they do not always reach the levels of which they are capable."

Further inspector comments added: "Too many pupils, including those known to be eligible for free school meals, are not doing as well as they should in writing."

Teaching was not judged to be "consistently good" and teachers "do not always plan lessons that are effective in meeting pupils’ needs".

Among the school’s strengths, inspectors commended the newly appointed headteacher who is "ambitious" for the school and provides supportive leadership.

The relationships between the adults and pupils throughout the school were praised by inspectors.

Mr Sierant said the inspection came at a good time for the school as it gives them clear direction where they want to head.

He said: "We can make even more progress in the future. We are ambitious as a school and there’s a lot of support here from parents and staff.

"We want to ensure that progress is made, not just one or two pupils but especially those who have been finding things difficult.

"We saw the inspection as an opportunity to help us in our journey to reinforce the things that need to be done.

"Some of the things that they told us we already earmarked ourselves that we need to improve on. It was noted in the report that it was a caring and a happy school, we have a good ethos and children enjoy their time at school."