A Croydon primary school has been told to improve by Ofsted inspectors.

Children at the Crescent Primary School in Selhurst sometimes do not finish their work and have trouble remembering what they have learnt, a report said.

But it also praised the school for good behaviour and said the schools and children were happy and safe.

Ofsted inspectors visited the school in November and published a report this month.

It was the school’s first inspection since it converted to an academy in 2015.

The report said children enjoyed learning but could not always remember what they had recently been taught.

It said: “Some subject leaders are unaware of the most important information they want pupils to know. Key knowledge has not always been emphasised over time and some pupils do not always remember what they have learned.

“Furthermore, pupils do not always finish their work and so do not remember key information. For instance, in science, pupils do not remember how particles in solids, liquids and gasses would be different.”

The school was given an overall rating of ‘requires improvement’ with the same rating in ‘leadership and management’  and the ‘quality of education’ categories.

Inspectors gave the school a ‘good’ rating for the remaining three categories of behaviour, personal development and early years provision.

The school was praised for well-planned lessons for younger children and said  there were high expectations for children.

It also found the school has successfully put in place strategies to improve behaviour and has recently introduced curriculum templates which were well made.

The Crescent is part of the Pioneer Academy Trust which runs 12 schools in South London.

A spokesperson for the Pioneer Academy said they were pleased positive strengths were noted by Ofsted.

They said: “Now the children are back in the classroom following the disruption of the pandemic, our focus is on providing them with a top-class academic education in a nurturing environment – and we are pleased that Ofsted recognised that leaders have high expectations for pupils.

“While we are disappointed with the overall rating – and are in ongoing discussions with Ofsted about concerns over some elements of the inspection – we are proud inspectors found an inclusive and respectful culture where pupils feel happy and safe.”