Saved school achieves good Ofsted grading

A school that was threatened with closure five years ago has received positive results in its latest Ofsted inspection.

Parents were outraged when Halesowen CofE Primary was on the verge of closure as 37 per cent of places were unfilled.

The 174-year-old school ended up being saved after a public consultation when more than 1,500 people signed a petition. The report – which gives the school on overall "good" rating – says standards have improved since its last inspection in 2009 when it was graded satisfactory.

Inspectors told pupils and staff at the High Street school was good and improving constantly with good pupil achievement and attainment rising steadily.

In a letter sent to pupils, inspectors said: "We found you to be friendly, polite and very easy to talk with. You are very proud of your school and this is shown in the school song you wrote and performed so beautifully in the assembly."

Inspectors found the school gave pupils a good start in the Early Years Foundation Stage.

Leadership and management were good and the headteacher and other members of the senior leadership team provided "outstanding" leadership "which has brought about sustained improvement in key areas of the school's work," the report said.

Areas for improvement highlighted in the report included recommendations to make work more challenging for some key stage one pupils and to match tasks to individual's needs.

Head Angela Hannaway said: "It is a tremendous achievement for our school – we are extremely proud of our children, our staff and our community who have worked together to achieve this result.

"Improvements made have been the result of excellent team work and commitment from both staff and children. As headteacher I am delighted with our success and this excellent report."

Councillor Liz Walker, cabinet member for children's services congratulated the staff and pupils.