A school in Ipswich has said they will continue to improve and there are "exciting plans for the future" after being rated requires improvement by Ofsted.

Following an inspection in February, the education watchdog rated The Willows Primary School as requires improvement for the second time in four years.

The school, which has 363 students on its school roll, was however, praised heavily throughout the report, with early years and children's behaviour highlighted.

The report states that pupils follow the school rules of 'Ready, Respectful, Safe' and they have positive relationships with staff.

The curriculum was also praised, being organised to build pupils' knowledge and understanding over time.

Areas noted as requires improvement however, include pupil absences and students with SEND struggling to understand the curriculum.

Kelly Head, headteacher at the school, said: "We are pleased that the report highlights the good work being done both in Early Years and to support the children’s Personal Development including the hard work that has taken place since the start of this year to improve behaviour, describing the ‘positive relationships’ that the children have with staff and how they ‘trust adults to deal with any problems quickly and well’.

"We know however, that there is still much to be done and we are pleased that the report reflects the areas for development that we had already identified as needing to improve.

"Consistently high expectations of attendance and behaviour and a curriculum that ignites a love of learning are just part of our exciting plans for the future.

"There is no doubt that there are more challenges ahead and great change must be achieved; but it is not acceptable for any child to attend a school that ‘Requires Improvement’ and I am determined that the journey we have begun this year will continue to bring about the improvements needed to ensure the children in this community attend a local school which everyone is proud of."