THE head teacher of a primary school, which has only been judged as “satisfactory” by Ofsted inspectors, said she is going to accentuate the positive.

Fairfields Primary School in Council Road, Basingstoke, gained the same grade when it was inspected in 2007, although inspectors noted it had made some improvements since then.

Despite some criticism in the new report of the quality of teaching, pupil achievement, attainment and attendance, head teacher Phyl Shaw said she was focusing on what was good.

She added: “What they are saying is that this is a good school but we have a maths problem and this is linked with the attainment of children in Year 6. A lot of what they refer to relates to the children who have now gone.”

Mrs Shaw started at the school in 1999 when it was in special measures, and managed to turn it around to become a good school.

She believes Ofsted should introduce a broader range of marks, rather than placing them in one of just four categories of inadequate, satisfactory, good or outstanding.

She added: “I would argue that we are a good school but every school has weaknesses. It’s disappointing that is where they put us.”

She added: “The teachers are pleased with the results too. Achievement in English is above average, and we’re working hard to get maths up to the same standard. We’re all very glad the report reflects what a happy, positive school Fairfields is.”

There are 408 pupils at the school with a high number of a minority ethnic heritage.

Inspectors reported that attainment in English was above average but in maths it was satisfactory.

Scrutiny of pupils’ books showed that in some classes teachers did not have a good enough understanding of the mathematics curriculum.

Inspectors observed 16 lessons by 14 teachers during May and also analysed 95 questionnaires completed by parents.

The school was praised for its contribution to the community and the inspectors said parents were positive about the school.