Special – but now in very good way
Herne Junior School in Petersfield - a good Ofsted has everyone smiling. Mr Castle (left), head Tony Markham (right), Mitchell ( front left) and Shannon (right).
A PETERSFIELD school that was in special measures is now one of the highest performing large junior schools in the country, said its headteacher after a recent Ofsted inspection.
Herne Junior School headteacher Tony Markham came to the school in Love Lane in 2006 to help turn it around, and he is delighted with this latest report after staff and the 400 pupils were given just 24 hours’ notice of the inspection.
He said: “Herne is now one of the highest performing schools in the country and we are privileged to lead a team that has reached this very good position.
“We now have a vibrant and inspirational curriculum to excite every child. The staff have worked tirelessly to make sure the children have a school to be proud of.”
The school was placed in special measures in 2005 after it was found that teaching was “vague and inconsistent,” and in the earlier years there were problems such as infrequent maths lessons.
Last month’s inspection found the school was now ‘good,’ a step up from its previous ‘satisfactory,’ and just below the top category of ‘outstanding.’
In his report, lead inspector Peter Sudworth said: “It is well led and managed.
“Pupils make good progress and reach an above average standard in their work, and take pride in their work and present it neatly, and attitudes are often exemplary.
“Pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is good, as is their behaviour, and they are mature and responsible.”
He also said the only things holding the school back from an ‘outstanding’ tag was that pupils weren’t doing enough reading, and there was a lack of computers in classrooms.
Mr Markham said: “We will be building on these substantial improvements to continue to ensure reading is well taught and the use of computers is more readily available.”
Ofsted agreed the school was “intent on doing the best it can for every pupil.”
The report also praised ambitious plans to launch a school radio station this year.
Last year inspectors praised the ambitious vision offered by Mr Markham and deputy headteacher, Peter Castle.
The Ofsted report can be viewed on the school website at: www.herne.hants.sch.uk
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Weather for Petersfield
Thursday 23 May 2013
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 4 C to 11 C
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