Oak Field school is 'tackling issues' - inspectors (From Barry And District News)

Oak Field school is 'tackling issues' - inspectors

11:10am Friday 22nd March 2013 in News

ESTYN inspectors visited Oak Field primary last week as the school endeavours to free itself of its “special measures” status.

The school, recently threatened with closure proposals, was placed in the category – following an inspection in June 2011 – in order to secure necessary improvements.

A report put before cabinet this week (March 18) said the council would continue to provide support to ensure the school was removed from special measures within a reasonable timeframe following the last previous inspection on December 4 last year.

Inspectors said last year that the school had continued to make progress and some of their recommendations had been fully addressed.

The acting headteacher, the cabinet report stated, was continuing to initiate further important developments and the governing body continued to support the school effectively and was making difficult decisions in respect of important staffing issues.

The cabinet report added: “The school is addressing many of the weaknesses identified in the inspection in a systematic way, and this is leading to improvements in standards and teaching, particularly in the Foundation Phase.

Cabinet members said a vacancy for a permanent headteacher had been advertised and said a cabinet group – comprising Vale council leader, Cllr Neil Moore, children’s services member, Cllr Chris Elmore and environment and visible services, Gibbonsdown ward member and an Oak Field governor – would “be established to give long-term support to the school.”