A primary school which had “serious weaknesses” in its maths earlier this year says it has turned its teaching around.

Brookside Junior School, in Dagnam Park Drive, Harold Hill, was rated inadequate overall, with some good factors, such as the school’s strong leadership from the headteacher, senior staff and governors and rapid improvements in English, during its last Ofsted inspection in February.

The rating was based mainly on pupils making inadequate progress in maths and teachers not having the sufficient expertise and confidence when teaching the subject.

But since then the school has been working with teachers to improve this by giving clear guidance to pupils on how to improve their work.

And six weeks ago assistant headteacher Nick Plumb was appointed maths co-ordinator to drive forward the school’s maths teaching and children’s attainment.

As part of the changes he is focusing on maths, not just in the classroom, but as part of real-life situations too.

He said he wanted to get children excited about the subject again organising a recent Maths Challenge Day workshop. He also has an Enterprise Week planned for children to use maths skills, and a maths club to promote the fun side of the subject.

The challenge saw children in Years 3 to 6 get involved in problem-solving activities.

Nick said: “Children were enthusiastic and commented that it was challenging but fun!

“They all benefited from using their maths to solve real problems and using and applying their knowledge they had gained from class teaching.”

He added there had been a big difference in the teaching and pupils’ attainment since the changes were put in place and they were enthusiastic about the different events that the school had planned rather than the subject solely based in the classroom.

Nick added: “Children are enjoying maths more and approaching these activities enthusiastically.”