School is taken out of special measures

A RURAL school is today back on track after it was taken out of special measures after inspectors identified a raft of improvements.

Sproughton Primary School was deemed to be failing after a report criticised inadequate teaching and falling standards.

Following a visit to the school in late 2006, Ofsted officials said it required “special measures”.

The report stated that although there was good parental support, the quality of provision in English, mathematics and science was not good enough.

It also pointed out that lessons lacked pace, and pupils were not making the progress they were capable of.

At the time, headteacher Jane Needle called the report “disappointing” and added that they were determined to make the improvements quickly.

And today, the school is celebrating the culmination of months of hard work.

The news that the school is now out of special measures has come as a relief to all those involved.

Mrs Needle said: “I can't say how important it is. It is a huge relief to be out of special measures. It was a team effort to get out and everyone worked so hard.

“It has always been a happy school with lots of good elements. We have a very bright future and we want to be an outstanding school.

“Now we have to continue to work in writing and marking, making provisions for children with special needs and improving the building.

“Being in special measures has affected the children. It meant we were visited very regularly by inspectors.

“We've got out two terms early, which is great. We were always working in the right direction.”

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