A BLACKBIRD Leys primary school given Ofsted’s lowest rating has been told it is making improvements and will not be put into special measures.

Orchard Meadow Primary School was given the inadequate rating following an inspection in March by the schools watchdog.

But a follow-up inspection last month saw inspector Sarah Hubbard say the 400-pupil academy’s improvement action plan is ‘Fit for Purpose’, meaning it will avoid special measures and will not need to be visited again until the autumn.

In a letter to headteacher Donna Roberts, Ms Hubbard said: “You, your leaders and the executive are dedicated to improving the academy as quickly as possible.

“You have made good use of external support from the local authority, whose consultants helped you write an action plan focusing on early years provision.

“You and your leaders have introduced effective new approaches to teaching reading and writing and strengthened the way mathematics is taught.

“You are wisely monitoring teachers’ planning more carefully and regularly.”

The school had previously been in special measures before joining the Blackbird Academy Trust in 2013.

Mrs Roberts welcomed the new report’s findings. She said: “This has recognised the hard work the staff have done.

“We had worked incredibly hard to move the school forward but this has given us another lever up.”

Two new assistant heads, Stella Cranston and former Year Two teacher Chris Curry, have now been appointed, and Mr Curry is now leading the early years team.

A scheme has been introduced to help parents reading with their children at home, while an extra “10-minute maths” session has been added to the school day.

A new focus is also being placed on outdoor learning. Mrs Roberts said: “We are putting a lot of money into our early years foundation outside area.

“There’s a new climbing frame being put in and dividing the playground so nursery and early years have their own dedicated space.”

Mrs Roberts also pointed to the extensive list of after-school activities at Orchard Meadow, citing these, plus its two-acre garlic farm and ‘living nativity’, as examples of work deserving praise.

She said: “I couldn’t argue with what was in the Ofsted report, but they missed out all the wonderful things we are doing.

“Orchard Meadow is a lovely school.

“The staff are supportive and the children are here to learn, and we are preparing them to become citizens.

“It takes time to move a school forward and we are ready to move forward now.”

Inspectors will still monitor the school’s progress, but are likely to visit next in September or November.

Another full Ofsted inspection will be held within 18 months.