A South Essex school which has been through a "period of staff instability" has been ordered to improve by Ofsted.

St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, in Scratton Road, Stanford-le-Hope, has been rated as "requires improvement" after an inspection carried out on June 5 and 6.

Inspectors found that the school was undergoing a "period of staff instability".

The report, published yesterday, stated: "The reading curriculum for older pupils is not well established.

"The school has not set out precisely what pupils will learn in the reading curriculum or been clear with staff about how it will be taught.

"The school has been through a period of staff instability. This has hindered the school’s ability to secure consistency in the quality of education.

"The school and the trust need to stabilise and develop the staff body so that pupils have teachers that can deliver the curriculum as leaders intend and pupils can make good progress in their learning."

St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School was previously rated as "good" for more than a decade.

Despite being rated as "requires improvement overall", behaviour and attitudes and personal development were rated as “good”.

However, the quality of education, leadership and management, and early years provision were all rated as “requires improvement”.

The report added: "In many areas, including early years, the curriculum is at an early stage of implementation.

"Staff are developing their expertise in teaching the intended curriculum. This has led to inconsistency."

At the time of the inspection, there were 201 pupils at the school, all aged between four and 11.

Positives were also highlighted in the report.

Inspectors said: "St Joseph’s is a calm and nurturing place to learn. Pupils are happy and enjoy school.

"Pupils are courteous and respectful towards their peers and adults.

"They have strong relationships with adults, which helps them to feel safe.

"Pupils know what it means to be a good friend and to look after one another. They are proud of their friendships."

St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School has been contacted for a comment by the Echo, but has yet to respond.