"WE can do it!" Teachers, governors, parents and pupils are rallying together to make improvements at a Southampton junior school described by Ofsted inspectors as having "serious weaknesses."

Determined head teacher Christine Stevens has already come up with a raft of measures to turn Harefield Junior School's fortunes around.

"We have put systems in place to move the school forward and with the staff we now have we will achieve it," she said.

During their three-day visit inspectors found the 226-pupil school, which has an above average proportion of pupils with special education needs, provided a "satisfactory" quality of education but had "serious weaknesses."

They found problems with the way the school was led and managed, difficulties with recruiting and retaining staff and an unsatisfactory rate of improvement since the last inspection six years ago. While standards in science had improved, they were found to be no better in maths and worse in English.

Miss Stevens, who has been in charge for the last eight years, said the last year had been very "turbulent" with four members of staff leaving in the autumn term.

"The appropriate systems are in place and the senior management will be more rigorous about implementing them.

"We have got our full complement of nine full-time staff ready for September and we are all feeling very optimistic."

Miss Stevens says the school for children aged from seven to 11-years old can bounce back with a new literacy co-ordinator Zoe Winfield in place to raise standards in reading and writing.

New deputy headteacher Neil Corlett who joined the Bitterne school this term will concentrate on improving maths standards beginning with addition and subtraction next term.

From September the school will also set pupils by ability in maths, literacy and science throughout Years Four and Five after inspectors praised the school's Year Six teaching, where pupils are already taught in set ability groups during the spring term. John Seal, Southampton Local Education Authority's senior inspector for schools said the LEA would be working closely with the school.

"We take the inspectors' report very seriously. The children's progress is very important. The context of teachers coming and going makes life difficult but is not an excuse."

CONCLUSIONS OF OFSTED REPORT FOR HAREFIELD JUNIOR SCHOOL SOUTHAMPTON:

STRENGTHS

Good teaching in Year Six helps pupils make up lost ground.

Good improvement in information and communication technology.

Pupils are very positive about the school.

The school has good links with partner schools and the local community.

Overall the school gives satisfactory value for money.

WEAKNESSES

Inconsistencies in teaching are leading to some pupils not achieving as much as they should.

There are weaknesses in aspects of the school's leadership and management.

The partnership with parents is not as strong as it should be.

STANDARDS ACHIEVED

Overall pupils achieve satisfactorily although progress is inconsistent through the school.

Standards in science are better than those in English and maths.

A significant minority of parents in Years Three and Four do not achieve as well as they should in maths and English.

Progress is better in Years Five and Six.

LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT

Appropriate systems are in place to help the school improve but too often the impact of these have been limited.

The quality of teaching is too varied.

The governors are well organised but some new members are not fully aware of the school's weaknesses.

IMPROVEMENTS NEEDED

Improve the overall quality of teaching.

Strengthen school's leadership and management.

Take steps to improve partnership with parents.