Snaresbrook Primary School brought out of special measures

A school is celebrating a “good” rating in its latest inspection after it was put into special measures last year.

Snaresbrook Primary School in Meadow Walk, Snaresbrook, has gone from being deemed “inadequate” in all areas to “good” all-round in its latest inspection.

The 2013 Ofsted report gave the school a grade four – its lowest rating – in leadership and management, behaviour and safety of pupils, quality of teaching and achievement of pupils.

The school has managed to jump up two grades after a year of tackling the issues highlighted.

Headteacher Carel Buxton said: “I think it’s quite unusual to have jumped up two levels in a year but it’s down to the really good team of people here now.

“We have worked solidly for about 14 months with support staff and teachers and we have been able to turn it around – it’s been very hard work.”

Last year’s inspectors expressed concerns about underachieving pupils and “weak” teaching.

The report read: “Targets for pupils’ progress are set so low that even if they are successfully met, pupils’ progress would still be inadequate.”

This year’s report praised the quality of teaching and stated that the school’s work has resulted in children developing into “confident and articulate young people”.

Inspectors called Ms Buxton’s leadership “exemplary” and her team “relentless in driving improvement”.

The Snaresbrook Primary headteacher said: “I think the results took a huge dip in 2012 and when Ofsted came in they could see that we had slipped behind, but everyone’s absolutely overjoyed now – it just shows what you can achieve when you work together.”

School governor Cllr Sue Nolan said: “It’s down to the brilliant head, teachers and support staff, it’s a real turn around.

“It’s fantastic that it has only taken just over a year and it’s a testament to everyone at the school – it’s a wonderful achievement.”