INSPECTORS have told a Halesowen school it is making “satisfactory progress” in improving its previous poor performance.

Caslon Primary School was marked down by Ofsted in January and issued with a notice to improve after being graded overall “inadequate” due to pockets of under achievement.

But a monitoring inspection just a week after the new term stated last month says the school leaders and staff have halted the decline in pupils’ achievement.

Inspector Usha Devi said: “A higher proportion of pupils are making good progress than at the time of the previous inspection. In general, years one, two and six are making accelerated progress.”

Unvalidated SATs for year six show attainment has “markedly improved,” with the majority of pupils reaching the standards expected for their age in reading, writing and maths.

But she said progress is not as rapid in other years where standards remain low.

Writing is better across the school, but improvements in maths are not as strong and although there is more good or better teaching, there is not enough consistency.

Headteacher Adrian Pembleton, who came to the Beeches View Avenue school almost two years ago, is pleased with the progress being made and said the school is focusing on the areas needing further improvement.

“We are continuing the good work to develop consistency in all classes and subjects,” he said.

The school will have a full Ofsted inspection in six months time, when Mr Pembleton is hoping Caslon will secure a “good” grading.