Teachers who went on strike over pupils' behaviour at their school have been blamed in an Ofsted report for having low expectations and not challenging students, leading to 'disruptive' behaviour.
Staff at Ravensfield Primary School in Greater Manchester staged a walkout in January after complaining of being violently assaulted by the children in their care.
Teachers at two schools run by the Changing Lives in Collaboration trust also said students, all aged 11 or younger, had brought knives into school, and during the strike one child fired an imitation firearm in the playground at Ravensfield.
But in an Ofsted inspection carried out less than a month after the walkout, inspectors found that low expectations of behaviour and academic standard, as well as a lack of support for those with extra needs, is contributing to the problem.
Inspectors rated Ravensfield Primary School in seven categories, assessing four as the lowest grading, needing 'urgent improvement', and three just above as 'needs attention'.
They described the school as being 'at rock bottom', with poor academic results, struggling staff morale, and parental concern at students' safety on site.
Addressing poor behaviour at the school, which was cited as the reason for the staff walkout earlier this year, their report stated: 'Low expectations of pupils' behaviour have become the norm at this school.
'A few pupils exhibit challenging behaviour, but many more hold lacklustre attitudes to learning. This is because their needs are not met.'
Staff at Ravensfield Primary School in Greater Manchester staged a walkout in January, just weeks before an Ofsted inspection that found staff's 'low expectations' of pupils was contributing to disruptive behaviour.
Addressing staff's response to poor behaviour, it was found that 'morale is low because staff do not believe their wellbeing is considered, especially when dealing with the disruptive behaviour'.
But it did acknowledge a new 'comprehensive' behaviour policy which has recently been introduced to combat the problem.
Bullying and name-calling are also problems at Ravensfield, according to Ofsted, with a 'small minority' of pupils using 'points of difference as a reason for hurtful name-calling'.
Achievement was also consistently raised as an issue across the school, with not enough year 6 pupils leaving with the expected standards in reading, writing and Maths.
Many of the children are said to 'lack the basic knowledge in writing and mathematics that they need to succeed'.
'Pupils do not achieve well,' the report states. 'Many Year 6 pupils left this school without reaching the expected standards in reading, writing and mathematics. They were catching up from the minute they entered their secondary schools.
'Pupils currently in school, especially those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, fare no better.
'This is because teachers do not hold high enough expectations of what pupils should and could achieve.'
It added: 'Teaching lacks challenge. It is not adapted to meet pupils' different needs.
'Some pupils are not stretched. Elsewhere, pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities do not receive the help that they need to overcome the barriers to their academic achievement.'
In a letter sent out to parents, seen by The Daily Mail, they were informed that on the second day of strike action at Ravensfield a child caused a panic in the playground when they 'discharged an imitation firearm while under the supervision of their mother'
The report also criticised 'poor delivery' of the curriculum, 'fractured' relationships between school leaders and staff, and noted that attendance rates, while close to the national average, are in decline.
Children frequently 'opt out' of learning, have poor attitudes towards it and do not try their best - for which inspectors again blamed low teacher expectations.
Inspectors did say that all safeguarding standards are met, and recent changes in leadership are starting to make a 'positive difference'.
But it still ranked the school overall as requiring 'significant improvement', and gave ten recommendations including tackling disruptive behaviour, staff morale and increasing expectations of pupils.
In January, staff at Lily Lane Primary School and Ravensfield Primary School, both in Greater Manchester, walked out in protest of poor behaviour.
They said they had been physically attacked, with instances of pupils being hit, kicked and even spat at.
During the strike, a child caused a panic in the playground at Ravensfield when they 'discharged an imitation firearm while under the supervision of their mother'.
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Although the school reassured parents that no one was injured or threatened by the fake weapon, staff said they are working closely with Greater Manchester Police to 'ensure the appropriate measures are taken'.
The Changing Lives in Collaboration Trust oversees seven schools - six in Greater Manchester and one in Tameside.
A spokesperson for the Trust said: 'We fully accept Ofsted's findings and recognise the need for significant improvement. The school joined the Trust in late 2024 because it needed the support of a strong and collaborative trust to tackle the long-standing challenges.
'As Ofsted notes, recent changes in leadership are beginning to make a positive difference and leaders are taking the right action to tackle deep-rooted weaknesses, with a clear and accurate understanding of what needs to improve.
'Additional leadership capacity is now in place; essential systems have been strengthened; work is already underway on urgent priorities highlighted in the report.
'Importantly, Ofsted confirmed that safeguarding standards are now met; an open culture where concerns are identified and acted upon exists; pupils are made safer and feel safe.
'As the Ofsted report says, this is just the start of the journey. Staff are engaging positively in this process and we are committed to rebuilding relationships, expectations and trust across the whole school community.
'Every child deserves a school that is calm, ambitious, well-led and focused on their success and wellbeing. We are confident the plan underway will deliver the school transformation our pupils need.'