A school with many strengths

After failing the last Ofsted inspection of March 1998 and going into special measures the school has dragged itself out of the mire.

It has been commended for its achievements in teaching and teamwork and is now judged to be 'a school with many strengths'.

Headteacher Alan Voyce said: "We are delighted by the whole picture and it does show that progress has been maintained."

The school was also inspected in December 1999, when it was decided it no longer needed to be in special measures.

Mr Voyce believes this was the beginning of the school's improvement, adding that the key to its success was a wholesale overhaul of the teaching team.

He said: "It has been the teaching staff that have made the greatest overall contributions to the improvements. Over the last two years the school has been much more independent.

"The achievements are much more down to the school than anywhere else. It has been a real team effort.

"The children have worked hard and I am grateful to the parents who have stayed loyal to the school."

Recent developments at the school include after-school clubs in chess, drama, French, gardening and netball.

Mr Voyce said: "We are looking to broaden the experience that children get. We would also like to develop the artistic side, particularly the expressive arts."

The quality of teaching was praised with 86 per cent judged to be good or very good.

By the age of seven and 11, pupil's standards in English, Maths and Science are above national average.

The success of the report from Ofsted the Office for Standards in Education follows on from other recent successes.

Last week the school celebrated a dramatic rise in exam results.

Swindon's director of education Mike Lusty praised the school's achievements, saying: "I would like to thank all those involved for their commitment, leadership and co-operation which are the major factors in the achievement of this success."