BROAD Oak Community Primary School has successfully turned itself around after special measures were imposed by Government inspectors 15 months ago

The school responded speedily and positively to an Ofsted report by achieving a faster turnaround in improving its performance than most other schools. Special measures have now been removed.

Recent reports by inspectors identified that 46 per cent of teaching was good or very good, with the remainder being satisfactory. After their two-day visit, the inspectors also remarked that the response from children was good and a real strength of the school.

The extensive community involvement at the school was also recognised, as well as the strong effective school management at all levels.

Headteacher Helen Smith, who faced many challenges when she took over in April, 1999, said: "The success of the school in being taken out of special measures is thanks to a great deal of hard work and commitment from parents, teachers and governors and the children, together with a great deal of support from the community and the council."

Mrs Smith said this is just the beginning of change which will ultimately make the school -- with the support of its partners -- one of the best, in line with its motto, 'tall oaks from little acorns grow.'

Broad Oak Community Primary School now has a full board of governors, is closely involved in the local community and is actively supported by parents.

In a letter to parents, Mrs Smith said: "The inspectors were very pleased with the behaviour and attitude of children in school. They commented on the good support that parents and governors have given to the school during the time we have been in special measures."

Councillor Andy Bowden, St Helens Council Cabinet Member for Education and Lifelong Learning, said: "This is a tribute to the hard work of the headteacher, governors, staff and pupils at the school who, with the support of the local education authority, have made significant progress in improving the performance of the school over the last 15 months."