A Bury primary school has been told to improve after inspectors found ineffective leadership was impacting children’s learning.

St Stephen’s CE Primary School on Colville Drive was given an overall rating of "requires improvement" following an inspection by education watchdog Ofsted in July.

Inspectors found that insufficient support from leaders meant some teachers did not deliver content to pupils effectively.

In its report, Ofsted noted that the school lacked effective means of assessing children’s understanding of what they have learned.

The report said: “Leaders have not identified all of the essential knowledge that underpins the broad topics that make up the school’s curriculum, including in the early years.

“Consequently, some teachers are unclear about what knowledge they should be delivering and in what order.

"Leaders have not provided teachers, including those in the early years, with the information that they need to design appropriate learning activities.

“This prevents some children and pupils from deepening their knowledge, skills and understanding of the curriculum.”

However, inspectors noted that children learn without disruption and display a positive attitude toward learning.

They found that pupils, parents and carers describe St Stephen’s as a welcoming and safe place where it’s easy to make friends.

The report said: “Leaders expect pupils to behave well. Pupils live up to these high expectations. They are polite and respectful.

“Well-trained staff support pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) to manage their additional needs.

The school was assessed in five areas and received a rating of "requires improvement" for the quality of education, leadership and management, and early years provision.

Both behaviour and attitudes and personal development at the school were rated as "good".

A spokesperson for the school said: “We are delighted that the inspectors highlighted the many strengths of our safe, happy and inclusive school and recognise our leadership capacity to continue to improve.

“We acknowledge the recommendations in the report and confirm that actions to address them are already underway.”