School is in the mood to party

Churchfields School has been transformed from a failing school to a good one in the past five years.

And headteacher Steve Flavin invited more than 100 guests to the school last night for a party in the school hall to mark the occasion.

He said: "This is really a community event to celebrate the fact that Churchfields has had such a successful Ofsted and has gone from being a failing school five years ago to a good school now.

"The school has gone through quite a lot of changes over the past few years and this is a real landmark.

"It's difficult to be judged as a good school. We have gone from being a failing school to one that is flourishing.

"It is now one of the fastest improving secondary schools in Swindon."

Mr Flavin took over as head of Churchfields in 2001 with the aim of raising standards after it was put into special measures in 2000.

In its recent inspection Ofsted described Churchfields as a "good" school and said 97 per cent of the lessons taught there were satisfactory.

It also praised the leadership of school and the fact that there is rapid improvement in the pupils' progress in maths, science and IT.

Mr Flavin has now set his sights on making Churchfields the best school in Swindon within the next five years.

As well as staff and students, Swindon mayor Peter Stoddart attended the party, along with invited members of the community.

Deputy head Emma Ray said: "It's absolutely fantastic.

"Obviously we were in special measures but now Ofsted has confirmed that we are really a good and improving school.

"That is good for the children, the staff and the local community.

"It's a good thing to have an improving school in the heart of a community that needs a school that takes education seriously. Tonight we have invited lots of people from the community who value education to celebrate with us."

The school's hall was decorated with balloons for the occasion and the guests all enjoyed a buffet and drinks.

Diana Milne