SUPERHEAD Andrew Wilson had reason for a double celebration this week after both Devizes primary schools that he leads were praised by inspectors.

Mr Wilson, who became executive head of Southbroom St James in 2016 just before it was branded inadequate by Ofsted inspectors, has now been given positive feedback.

After a second monitoring visit inspector Jonathan Dyer wrote to him to say: "Leaders and managers are taking effective actions towards the removal of the serious weaknesses designation."

In the same week Mr Wilson, who is also in charge of Trinity Primary, was told by Church of England inspectors that the school was outstanding in all areas.

The Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools (SIAMS) found the school’s Christian values were deeply embedded into all aspects of school life and they are known and

followed by all members of the school community.

It also praised the inspirational and caring leadership which enabled children to achieve well within a highly effective Christian environment.

Mr Wilson pledged last year, after Southbroom St James' first monitoring report since Ofsted found it had serious weaknesses, that it would gain a good rating at its next full inspection.

He is now well on the way to achieving that. The report published last week said: "Leaders have maintained the rapid pace of progress seen at the previous monitoring inspection. They are, therefore, judged to be taking effective actions towards the removal of the serious weaknesses designation.

"The executive headteacher and head of school are ambitious and relentless in their desire to improve pupils’ attainment. They hold high expectations for staff and pupils and this continues to be instrumental in further raising the quality of teaching, learning and assessment.

"As a result, a large number of pupils are making rapid progress towards their academic and personal targets.

"The appointment of a skilled assistant headteacher has further strengthened the school’s leadership capacity. Specifically, she leads on supporting pupils who have special educational needs or disabilities.

"Parents are overwhelmingly positive about leaders’ actions, and recognise that the school continues to improve. The vast majority of parents would recommend the school to other parents. This is a significant improvement from the previous section 5 inspection. Parents spoken with during this inspection were particularly pleased with the greater levels of engagement between parents and the school."

But there is still room for improvement as the inspector found teachers are not yet routinely implementing newly developed policies and approaches in all classes.

Spelling is still a weakness and some maths reasoning activities need to be improved.