Pupils at a large school suffer from gaps in teachers’ knowledge and a badly planned curriculum, according to inspectors.

An Ofsted report published on Friday has downgraded Marks Gate Infant School from “good” to “requires improvement” in the five key areas assessed.

Children at the Lawn Farm Grove site in Chadwell Heath were judged to be “not well prepared” for the start of Year 1 with tasks set deemed to be too easy for the most able youngsters but too demanding for others.

The report raises concerns about core skills among the 289 pupils, noting: “Leaders have not made sure that the curriculum helps pupils to build key skills strongly in reading, writing and mathematics as they progress through school”.

Governors were also described as having an “over-positive” view of how well the school had done since the last inspection in 2012. They had “not held leaders to account over outcomes for disadvantaged pupils”, the report states.

But the report does note that new headteacher Jacqui Barnard – who joined the school in September – has an “accurate view of the school’s effectiveness” and has identified where “rapid” improvements are needed.

Inspectors also noted that pupils’ handwriting is neat and careful and that youngsters behave well in the classroom and dining hall.

A council spokesman admitted the report was “disappointing”.

But he added: “All staff are very determined to bring about rapid improvements. The school has the full support of the local authority.

“The council is supporting the new headteacher in actions to address the report’s recommendations and make the necessary improvements as quickly as possible.”