School goes from special measures to outstanding (From Hereford Times)

School goes from special measures to outstanding

3:00pm Monday 18th March 2013 in News By Adam Knight, Reporter

AN outstanding Ofsted report has capped an impressive turnaround for Little Dewchurch Primary school – which just two-and- a-half years ago was placed in special measures.

This week the village school – operating under the executive headship of Marlbrook School’s Tracey Kneale – finally came full circle, when it was labelled “outstanding” in all categories.

And governors’ chairman Andrew Bailey credits that collaboration with Marlbrook School as providing the “solid administrative base which allows teaching staff to deliver excellence”.

It’s a sentiment echoed in the report itself, which opens praising both the “enthusiasm, drive and vision” of Mrs Kneale herself, and the high quality of support she receives from senior staff and the school’s governing body.

These successes are mirrored in the classroom.

The report notes pupils’ “exceptional progress” across the full range of abilities and age groups.

A HEREFORDSHIRE school has been selected for an important new role which is aimed at raising standards.

Wigmore School is one of only 150 in England to be currently granted teaching school status.

The designation by the National College for School Leadership (NCSL) entitles the school to lead the training and professional development for staff.

Wigmore’s headteacher Andrew Shaw said: “We are delighted to take on this new role and use the experience and expertise we have gained to promote opportunity and excellence for all in our schools locally and further afield.”

The NCSL has responsibility for the designation and quality of the teaching schools programme, working with the Department for Education.

Core skills of reading, writing and maths are “considerably” above average at the end of key stages one and two, with support for pupils with special educational needs also judged to be excellent.

The reason for this success is credited to teachers who “demonstrate excellent subject knowledge and promote learning consistently and exceptionally well”.

Alongside the work of teaching assistants, they create a “calm and purposeful” environment where success is celebrated, independence is encouraged and pupils are challenged.

The one area where improvement was suggested was outdoor facilities for the reception class.

However this will do little to dampen the excitement of Mr Bailey, who insists this report underlines the small school’s status as “one of the best around”.