THE INTERIM head at Rogate primary school has been made permanent after successful SATS results significantly improved the school’s position relative to other local schools and national averages.
Amy O’Toole was appointed interim head in February, soon after the school had been put in special measures by the regulatory body, Ofsted.
On Wednesday, December 7, governors at the Church of England primary school, appointed Mrs O’Toole to a permanent position, and celebrated the SATS results.
Chair of the board of governors, Verona Hall said: “We knew it was going to be hard work getting the school back to a satisfactory, let alone outstanding, status but, with the help of a dedicated and re-energised team of staff, she has already got that journey well underway.
“A recent review by the local authority education department, and last week’s inspection by the Diocese of Chichester education team have reassured us that the school is now improving, and feedback from the local community has confirmed that there has been a sea change in the impression the children give outside school as well.
“Parents will be reassured that, without losing its well-earned reputation as a happy and caring place for children, or compromising its strong Christian ethos, the school’s results in the latest SATS tests show that the educational standards have gone from well below the national and local averages to a much more impressive level.
“There are still specific areas where we have more to do but we have gone from the weaker end of our local West Sussex peer group in reading, writing and maths attainment to the strongest end.
“Our children’s progress scores have also improved sharply in all three subjects, despite us having the highest percentage of disadvantaged children.
“With the immediate crisis behind us, and our confidence in the senior leadership and staff of the school restored, the board of governors wanted to strengthen the school further by appointing a permanent head.
“After a rigorous selection process, the governors unanimously agreed to appoint Amy, and we look forward to supporting her, and her team, in continuing the transformation they have started.”
Mrs O’Toole added: “When I first came to this school knew there was something very different about it, and I am thrilled to be able to stay and work with my team on realising the potential we believe the school has to be a unique centre of learning, as well as a safe, caring environment for young children to start their journeys of discovery and development.
“I look forward to working with the children, parents, governors, church foundation and local community to return this school to OFSTED’s ‘outstanding’ status.”