By Craig Evry

TEACHERS and pupils at Sambourne Primary School in Warminster have been celebrating this week after learning the school has emerged from one of the most difficult periods in its history.

Headteacher Angela Rees learnt last week that the school would be taken off special measures implemented two years ago when OFSTED inspectors attacked and failed the school for its poor teaching methods and results.

However, only two years down the line, staff, pupils and parents have managed to turn the trend around.

Mrs Rees, who took over from former headteacher Andrew Folker last November, admitted her delight at the recent ruling, which means the burden of frequent inspections and restricted freedom in teaching is now over.

She said the turnaround was a credit to the teamwork in operation at the school and that everyone had given 100 per cent.

She said: "It was teamwork that got us through, everyone working together. That is one of the special things about this school.

"We were absolutely delighted and had an instant party with more formal ones planned for later on in the term.

"The children were told the next day and I congratulated them for working hard and being so good at school.

"It has been a lot of stress for the staff who have all had to work very hard. The pace of change is now at our own pace rather than anyone else dictating it."

LEA-appointed troubleshooter Andrew Folker was drafted in two years ago after the school failed its OFSTED inspection, which was conducted by a four-strong team, including notorious inspector Geoffrey Owen.

The inspectors listed a number of weaknesses at the Church of England-controlled school, including bad behaviour and ineffective leadership.

At the time, Mr Folker said that Sambourne's OFSTED failure was for the good of the school.

He said: "The best thing that could have happened to Sambourne School is to have gone into special measures. It feels uncomfortable, but it means things will get better for everyone."

Since then, the school has received help from the community, including the PTA, which has helped raise money to buy a range of equipment, books and electrical equipment.

Mrs Rees added: "The school had to draw up a detailed action plan to say how it would improve in the areas highlighted.

"That plan had to be drawn up in co-operation with the governors of the school, the staff and the LEA, and all the improvements have taken place as a result of that plan.

"The inspectors have been visiting every term and we have also had to monitor internally."