Matlock school is out of special measures

Ofsted inspector Dorothy Bathgate made the decision that St Giles Primary School, in Starkholmes Road, Matlock, no longer needs to be in special measures following a positive inspection in November.

The school was placed in special measures after a damning Ofsted report published in September 2013 found its overall effectiveness to be ‘inadequate’.

In February this year the long-standing head teacher of the school, Rev Julie Stanton, was removed from her role following pressure from parents.

The school was dealt another blow in September this year when the Secretary of State for Schools, Lord Nash, suggested it become an academy.

Lord Nash went on to replace St Giles’ board of governors with an interim executive board (IEB), which set to work consulting on the idea of the school becoming an academy.

The latest Ofsted report, published this month, states that the school ‘requires improvement’ overall, however it outlined several ‘good’ qualities including leadership, management and quality of teaching.

Acting head teacher Suzanne Forster said: “I am delighted that the hard work of the pupils, staff and parents has been recognised. After the turbulent times of the past few months this report evidences the school recent rapid progress towards an outstanding future.”

Chairman of the IEB, David Wootton said: “Credit for this positive outcome rests with the skill and dedication of staff in the school. The strong and committed leadership of our acting head teacher Suzanne Forster has enabled this outcome.”

The school is currently awaiting the outcome of the consultation on academy status, which has now gone to the secretary of state for review.