The chair of governors at an infants school placed into special measures has praised staff, pupils and parents for its turnaround.
Hendre Infants School in Trecenydd, was criticised by Estyn school inspectors in May 2013 for its “unsatisfactory” leadership with high staff turnover cited as a barrier to improvement.
However, more than three years on, the school is now thriving, and recently took part in a world record attempt for the largest reading lesson.
Hilary Barbrook, Chair of Governors at the school, said: “About four years ago we lost out headteacher and then we were placed into special measures.
“We had a head come in and help us, but they were also in charge of another school so they would come in two to three times a week. We had about four or five heads and they all worked hard, but they had their own schools to cover as well.
“We’ve now got a new headteacher, Andrea Brett-Harris, and she’s absolutely brilliant and we are working wonders.”
Mrs Barbrook added: “When we were told we had gone into special measures, we had to work hard to get out. Fair play to all the staff, they have gone and worked their socks off and we have gone up and up and up.”
Estyn’s latest inspection report, from October 2014, recommended the school be taken out of special measures and heaped praise on the teachers.
Inspectors said: “Teachers have established a vibrant indoor learning environment, which includes exciting classroom displays and interactive learning areas. The quality of the outdoor learning environment is much improved and teachers use this well to extend pupils’ learning effectively.”
Pupils recently took part in a record attempt for the world’s largest reading lesson.
Hendre Infants Year 2 Teacher, Nicola Payne, said of the successful attempt, which included around 75 schools up and down the country, said: “We are incredibly excited to be taking part in this record breaking event.
“Our children all enjoyed dressing up as Harry Potter characters for the lesson – even the teachers.”