BOYS are not performing as well as girls at a school which has been downgraded following an Ofsted inspection.
Earlswood Infant and Nursery School was visited by inspectors from the education watchdog last month and in the report, published this week, has been downgraded from an 'outstanding' school to a 'good' one.
Among the areas highlighted to focus on was the disparity in achievement between boys and girls in the Reception class.
In his report, lead inspector Derek Watts said: "Some boys in Reception do not do as well as the girls, especially in language and literacy."
But executive head teacher Geraldine Tidy said the problem is not unique to the school and plans were in place to address this.
She told the Mirror: "We recognise that a small number of boys do not achieve as well as some girls. This is both a national and Surrey-wide issue and one that we are addressing through carefully planned support and learning activities."
In his report, Mr Watts added: "Positive steps are being taken to tackle this issue. For example, topics which appeal to boys are being provided."
The school in St John's Road caters for 433 pupils and is one half of the Earlswood Federation, along with Earlswood Junior School in nearby Brambletye Park Road.
It is not the first school to be downgraded after Ofsted changed its inspection guidelines in 2012, leading to criticism from head teachers. Some, including St Bede's head teacher Chris Curtis, are concerned that the new tougher guidelines mean schools could, in some cases, be downgraded, despite having improved since the last inspection.
Mr Watts and his team commended Earlswood Infants, which was last inspected in 2009, for high teaching standards and "a positive atmosphere and a stimulating environment where pupils learn and develop".
Every aspect of the school – teaching, pupils' achievement, safety and behaviour, and leadership – was graded as "good" by the inspectors
Mrs Tidy added: "We are delighted that Ofsted recognised our infant school as a 'good' school.
"We are especially pleased that the inspectors recognised good teaching throughout our school which results in the good progress that children make from nursery through to Year 2.
"We will use the areas noted for improvement to help us in our ongoing quest for excellence."
