School led out of special measures

A school that was previously failing to give pupils an acceptable standard of education has made a rapid improvement and no longer requires special measures.

Farnsfield St Michael’s Primary School has made good progress on all the issues identified in its previous Ofsted inspection and now provides a satisfactory standard of education for its pupils.

A report after an inspection on December 4 and 5 said the two main factors in the school’s rapid improvement were stronger leadership and improved teaching and learning.

The inspector, Mr David Martin, said the appointment of an acting head, Mr Peter Mansfield, who was seconded to the school for two terms in January 2007, was crucial in providing a strategic sense of direction and the school gained renewed confidence as a result.

Mr Martin said the deputy head, Mr Steve Coyle, continued the planning and direction until the permanent head, Mr Tony Walker, arrived in October 2007.

Mr Martin said teachers had risen to the challenge.

“The school has rightly concentrated on improving the teaching and learning in literacy and numeracy,” said his report. “This has been successful.

“The pace of learning has improved, pupils are more productive in lessons and their progress has improved.”

St Michael’s was placed in special measures in May 2006 when inspectors graded the school as inadequate in the provision of education, level of achievement, meeting the needs of pupils and leadership and management.

The school was now judged to be satisfactory in those areas and good for personal development and well being, teaching and learning and in giving care guidance and support.

The report said that to improve further the school should encourage higher achieving pupils to reach their potential, plan more thoroughly in foundation subjects and give children more opportunities for independent learning and involvement in their community.

Mr Walker said: “The staff have worked so hard because it is not an easy position for anyone to be put in special measures.

“They were all committed to helping the school get back on track.

“We’ve got a good foundation that the school will build on for the next report.

“We’ve got lots of plans both for the school building and what’s going on inside the school. It is a very happy school and I feel privileged to be working here.”