A Gorleston junior school has been told it must improve after inspectors found pupils' progress was uneven and teachers did not provide the right classroom challenges.

Mike Hawkes, headteacher of Wroughton Junior School in Gorleston, said the judgement was disappointing but inspectors had highlighted positives alongside what needed improvement.

'Inspectors described pupils' behaviour and safety as 'good' and said it was one of the strengths of our school,' said Mr Hawkes.

'Our pupils do work very hard and want to do well; they are polite, outgoing and well-mannered and I am very pleased this has been highlighted by Ofsted.

'And although the overall judgement is disappointing, the inspectors' report acknowledges that pupils' attainment and progress are improving. We know from the children's work and our assessment information that they are making expected progress; our focus now is on improving further so we can help pupils go beyond what is expected of them so they can achieve their potential.'

Ofsted's inspectors, who visited the school on June 4 and 5, said Wroughton could not be rated good yet for a handful of reasons, reporting that too few pupils make good progress because teachers do not provide sufficient challenges and that the headteacher and deputy headteacher have not given other teachers clear guidance on what is expected in terms of improvement.

The watchdog did, however, note that attainment and progress was improving, that good behaviour was a strength and there had been 'strong appointments' in leadership positions.

'Arrangements for keeping pupils safe are good and pupils are very well cared for,' it said.

'They have confidence in the adults who work with them.'

Mr Hawkes added: 'We've made some key changes to the school's leadership team, which inspectors recognised had provided strong and effective leadership for year groups as well as improvements in English, mathematics and the standard of teaching, including good provision for our pupils with disabilities or special educational needs. Pupils told inspectors they felt safe, well cared-for and had confidence in the adults working with them. We are working with the county council, and building on these strong foundations and the improvements already underway so we can become a 'good' school.'