HEAD Sue Hulford believes her school has a bright future as it prepares to become part of an academy trust, despite Ofsted inspectors deciding Rowde Primary, near Devizes, must stay in special measures.

Their report, following a monitoring visit after the rating was given in March, said: “Leaders and managers are not taking effective action for the removal of special measures.”

Mrs Hulford believes the decision to join the Acorn Education Trust will be the start of a new chapter for the school. Rowde is due to join the trust, which includes two senior schools and a number of village primaries, on November 1.

She said: “We believe we have already made a number of changes since the main Ofsted inspection in March.

“My top priority was to make sure that safeguarding was brought up to scratch and the monitoring inspection found that safeguarding is now effective.”

Experienced teacher Hannah Elson has joined the school as deputy head and Max Burr from the Acorn Trust is now its executive head.

She said: “Being part of the trust gives me so much more support. We have started along the right path. Joining the trust is going to be a new start.”

Reading was highlighted by inspectors for a cause for concern and Mrs Hulford said changes were already being put in place to make sure children received more supervision and are challenged more.

A number of governors left the school last term, but new chairman Kate Hunloke is also confident the school will have improved when inspectors return again in a few months time.

She said: “I have been a governor here for a long time but taking the chairmanship is a big responsibility.

“ I believe in Sue and all the staff. The report was disappointing but it was not all negative, especially when you put it in context.”

She said that parents had been mainly been supportive and staff were enthusiastic.