ST STEPHEN’S has had a tough fight to be named this year’s Primary School of the Year.

But then the school is used to overcoming challenging situations.

Shortly after the infant and junior schools were amalgamated in 2009, Ofsted put it into special measures. For the past five years staff and governors have worked incredibly hard, supported by parents and the entire community, to turn the school from a failing one into a glowing success.

“Through rigorous monitoring, hard work and commitment, not too much blood but plenty of sweat and tears, the whole school community has worked together and succeeded in making the school into a vibrant and exciting place to learn,” said head teacher Jacquelyn Young.

She was seconded to the Church of England school six months after it went into special measures and has been there ever since.

“The infants and junior school had amalgamated and that brought teething problems. We needed to look to the future, rather than the past.

“We looked at training and raising aspirations of the children and what’s possible to achieve. We had to prioritise. We could not do it all at once,” she said.

It’s not only the children and community who think the school has turned its fortunes around; Ofsted now rates it as ‘good’.

The judges decided the school’s improvement made it the obvious winner of the category, sponsored by First Class Learning.

“Standards of education have risen and children make very good progress and achieve well,” said Mrs Young.

But it’s not all about test results; youngsters are given a sense of responsibility and are encouraged to fundraise for various local and national causes.

The school council also plays an important role and was consulted on how they wanted to see the playground developed and also play a part in staff recruitment!

“Staff members have worked extremely hard to bring around much-needed change in the school and they are now reaping the award as we see the children achieving success.

“It’s about changing people’s philosophy and attitudes, everyone having the same vision. The school values the staff, parents, governors and support from the church and local community; everyone works hard together and we are very proud,” Mrs Young said.