Academy route to success for Murrow school

A primary school placed in special measures has been transformed since converting to academy status, according to education inspectors.

Murrow Primary Academy is celebrating after Ofsted rated it as ‘good’ in all areas in a glowing report published last week.

The primary school, in Murrow Bank, was placed in special measures in November 2012 after being judged as ‘inadequate’.

Inspectors said the school was failing to give its pupils an acceptable standard of education and that “leaders had not demonstrated the capacity to bring about improvement at the school without a reliance on external support”.

The most recent inspection, carried out in March, was the first since Murrow became part of the Leverington Primary Academy Trust in July, 2013.

Inspector Alison Cartlidge said leadership and management were now good, and the academy was “improving rapidly” as a result.

Academy headteacher Rosie Simmonds said: “We are extremely delighted and proud of this achievement, proving the partnership with Leverington Primary Academy Trust has been highly effective in improving the school from Grade Four to Grade Two, good in all areas.

“Trust members and governors are very pleased the sponsorship through excellent team work by all involved has been proven successful.”

Mrs Simmonds also thanked parents who she said had been incredibly supportive of the school throughout.

In the Ofsted report, Ms Cartlidge said there was a shared vision for the academy and a determination to provide the best possible education for all groups of pupils.

She said: “Leaders and managers set a clear direction for the work of the academy and have been unrelenting in moving the academy forward.

“As a result, teaching and pupils’ progress have improved rapidly...and are continuing to improve.

“The sponsor school has been at the heart of the academy’s rapid development over the last 18 months.”

The report also said the behaviour and safety of pupils was good, with youngsters feeling “exceptionally safe”.

In order to improve further, inspectors have told the school to raise attainment in writing, and increase the level of challenge by making sure pupils are always given work that deepens their knowledge and understanding.