A HEADTEACHER today spoke of her “delight” at the progress made by her school which has been highlighted in a recent report.

A HEADTEACHER today spoke of her “delight” at the progress made by her school which has been highlighted in a recent report.

Halifax Primary School, in Prince of Wales Drive, Ipswich, fell into special measures in October 2005 after being described by inspectors as a failing school, suffering severe problems with pupil behaviour.

But in an interim OfSTED (Office in Standards in Education) monitoring report, inspectors have now praised the school for its pupils' behaviour, describing it as “good”.

Headteacher Anna Hennell James, who was appointed to the headship earlier this year, said: “The report is very, very positive and we are delighted that HMI (Her Majesty's Inspectors) have noted that behaviour is good.

“It had been one of the main concerns of OfSTED and poor behaviour had had an impact on all areas of the school.”

Mrs Hennell James, who is determined to get the school out of special measures by October this year, said the better behaviour was having a positive effect on teaching standards and pupil attainment.

She said: “There is still a lot that needs to be done but we are determined and a lot of hard work is already paying dividends.”

The report said the school is monitoring pupil progress more effectively.

It said: “Fewer pupils are underachieving, although many still have some way to go to catch up to the standards of their age.”

Main judgements recorded were:

Progress since being subject to special measures - good.

Progress since previous monitoring inspection - good.

Newly qualified teachers may be appointed.

The report also said the school should improve standards, achievement and provision in the foundation stage.

Do you have a child at Halifax primary? What do you think of your child's school? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send us an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk