A SECOND primary school in Radcliffe is to become an academy after a potential sponsor was named, it has been confirmed.

Gorsefield Primary, in Robertson Street, was placed in special measures by Ofsted last November after teaching, leadership and pupils’ achievement were judged “inadequate”.

The Radcliffe Times understands the school is likely to start life as an academy in April next year, having secured the potential sponsorship of St Paul’s CE Primary School in Astley Bridge, Bolton.

Radcliffe Primary became the first school in the borough to become an academy in January this year.

St Paul’s, rated “outstanding” by Ofsted, was matched with Gorsefield after being approved as a general potential sponsor by the Department for Education (DfE) last autumn.

The school was converted into an academy in 2012 and headteacher Karen Bramwell is a national leader in education.

St Paul’s, which does not sponsor any other academies, is undergoing checks known as the due diligence process before the Manchester diocese will grant it permission to run as a multi-academy.

Mrs Bramwell confirmed St Paul’s had been chosen by Gorsefield as its “preferred sponsor” but stressed the move would not see Gorsefield become a church school.

She said: “As an outstanding national support school with a strong track record of supporting other schools, St Paul’s is pleased to have been identified as a potential sponsor for Gorsefield.

“The religious character of Gorsefield will not be changed.”

Representatives from education watchdog Ofsted who visited the school for a second monitoring inspection in June judged “reasonable progress” towards the removal of special measures was being made.

Inspector Aelwyn Pugh found the headteacher and deputy at Gorsefield have a “clear determination” to bring about improvement.

Training and support for teachers at the school has been improved and the proportion of 11-year-olds likely to reach the expected standards has risen, although it is still below the national average.

The report found students are being set more ambitious attainment targets and are improving in reading, writing, maths, presentation and handwriting.

However, the quality of teaching remains varied. It said teachers do not question pupils enough to check their understanding and do not always adapt work sufficiently.

At its previous full Ofsted inspection in 2010, Gorsefield Primary was judged to be good with outstanding features.

So, following last November’s inspection, the school’s governing body submitted a formal complaint against Ofsted’s judgement and requested an accuracy check.

In a newsletter sent to parents last month, headteacher Morven Stroud said: “As Her Majesty’s Inspector recently stated, Gorsefield is a very caring, supportive and nurturing environment where leadership is determined and motivated to continue to improve.

“Our plan was deemed fit for purpose and school was found to be making reasonable progress. These are the only phrases allowed; there is no choice in the wording. The inspector was most impressed with the positive comments when talking with parents.”

A spokesman for the Department for Education (DfE) said: “Gorsefield Primary School was rated inadequate by Ofsted – and clearly that is not good enough for pupils and parents.

We are currently discussing next steps with the school. Before it can become an academy there will be a formal consultation and all responses will be taken into account.”

Last year Cllr Gill Campbell, Bury Council’s cabinet member for children and families, said the authority was strongly against schools being “forced” to become academies.

A spokesman for the authority said this week: “Bury Council will endeavour to support Gorsefield Primary until such a time as a sponsor is officially in place.”