Once struggling school improving, say Ofsted (From Thurrock Gazette)
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Once struggling school improving, say Ofsted
7:30am Saturday 16th February 2013 in News
Richard Epps celebrates the good news with pupils
A STRUGGLING school has celebrated turning its results around – just nine months after becoming an academy.
Lansdowne Primary Academy was visited by Ofsted inspectors who gave the school a better review than on their previous visit.
Inspectors visiting in January found the school was “satisfactory”, but still needed “further improvement”.
The result is a stark contrast to the last report in May 2011 which resulted in the school, in Tilbury, being handed a notice to improve after being rated as “inadequate”.
The improvements included good behaviour and safeguarding, attendance rapidly rising, effective governors and support from the Gateway Learning Community Trust.
Ofsted praised the principal, Richard Epps and vice-principal, Monique Anderson.
Mr Epps said: “We are very pleased with the progress we have made as a school and thank all our staff, pupils and parents for their hard work and support.
“We agreed with all the areas requiring improvement.”
Mr Epps added the school has just launched a new reading and writing scheme called Read Write Inc to drive up standards.
Dave Wellard, chairman of governors, said: “I would like to thank all the staff, governors, parents and pupils for the work they have put into moving our school forward so quickly.
“I am proud of Lansdowne Primary Academy and we are proud to serve the wonderful community of Tilbury Town.”
Lansdowne Primary Academy is part of the Gateway Learning Community which also includes The Gateway Primary Free School, Herringham Primary Academy, The Gateway Academy and Gateway Sixth Form.
Kevin Sadler, chief executive of the Gateway Learning Community, said Lansdowne was going from strength to strength.
He added: “I am so thrilled the hard work and dedication of the staff, parents and pupils of Lansdowne has been acknowledged so positively by Ofsted.
“It bodes well for the continuing development of the school and the wider Gateway Learning Community.”
