Governors of St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Primary, Devizes, who have just rejected a serious complaint from a parent about the way the school is run, are now bracing themselves for an Ofsted inspection.

They have been told that the inspectors will arrive next Tuesday (24), just a day after the school returns from the half term holiday.

Although the complaint was dismissed, chairman of the governors Colette Culligan said this week that there were lessons to be learnt and changes would be made in coming weeks and months.

Two years ago headteacher Sheila Jones, staff, parents and governors were shocked when Ofsted rated the school as requiring improvements.

They are now confident they can improve to a good status but pressure has been added by the official complaint which led to an inquiry.

A panel hearing on February 2 heard the father’s complaints about the school and its head, and on February 10 a letter was sent to parents telling them the complaint had not been upheld.

Mrs Culligan said this week: “Complaints have to be dealt with confidentially, as required by the regulations.

“However, sometimes this can lead to a bit of a vacuum with lots of rumours flying around. So we issued the letter to clarify the situation once the decision was known. As with any investigation into the way things are done at the school, there are some lessons to be learned from this and the governing body will be looking at taking these forward over the coming weeks and months.”

A number of parents have taken to Ofsted’s official site to voice their concerns about the way the school operates.

A total of 72 per cent of 57 people who filled in a questionnaire on the Ofsted website said they would not recommend the school to another parent.

When asked if they agreed the school was well led and managed, 67 per cent of parents said they disagreed.

Mrs Jones took over in 2006 after the retirement of long-term head Barry Hickey. In the last Ofsted inspection held before he left inspector Dr Eric Peagam described St Joseph’s as a highly effective school.

He wrote: “Headteacher Barry Hickey has a clear vision for the school and a style of management that allows those around him to be equally effective.”

When she was appointed Mrs Jones said: “I want to build on everything that Barry has done, which is to run a successful school for the 21 century.”

The Gazette contacted the school on the Friday before half-term but Mrs Jones did not want to comment.

A letter from the governors which went on the school website last week told parents an investigation had been taking place over the past three months.

It said: “We have been investigating a number of serious allegations made about the running of the school, including the actions of the headteacher.

“The complaint panel included several governors, as well as an independent educational expert. The panel was chaired by a lawyer who has many years’ experience as a governor in another school.

“The conclusions have been finalised. All the allegations have been rejected. The governing body welcomes this vindication of the integrity of St Joseph’s and its teaching staff.

“Now this action has been concluded, we can focus on the forthcoming Ofsted inspection and look to achieve formal recognition of the quality of education that our students receive at St Joseph’s.”

At its last inspection the school was told: “The rate of pupils’ progress varies across the school and is not consistent enough to ensure that all pupils achieve well.”

Since then it has brought in an advisor to work with it on the recommendations in the Ofsted report. The school also points out that the last grading was on a new system and in previous years the category requiring improvements would have been satisfactory.