A RAPID turn-around in the fortunes of a village primary school that was considered to be failing its pupils

18 months ago has won praise for a pilot scheme which involves a head teacher running two schools.

Last June, the 42-pupil Ravenstonedale Endowed Primary School received a damming Ofsted report that criticised leadership and some teaching, writes Education Reporter Jennie Dennett.

But this week government school inspectors published a follow-up report which makes much better reading and releases the small school from special measures three months early.

"The standards are rising throughout the school because the curriculum is better planned, the quality of

teaching has improved and more is expected of the pupils," trumpeted the inspectors.

Pupils were also given a pat on the back for their "very good" behaviour and the ethos of the school was applauded for promoting "pride, respect and tolerance".

In handing out their praise, the Ofsted team found particular merit in a new joint-headship' scheme run by local education authority Cumbria County Council.

Under the initiative, new head teacher Lynne Pawley divides her time between Ravenstonedale and Brough Community Primary School, where she is also the head and where she helped Brough out of special measures in 1997.

"The school has benefited from this particular partnership approach," wrote the inspectors. "The head teacher does not have a specific teaching commitment and has therefore been able to introduce for the first time a detailed and effective programme of monitoring, support and evaluation of the quality of teaching and learning."

There was also a thumbs-up for the close partnership between Ravenstonedale and Brough, which has seen pupils share booster classes, go on school trips together and make a joint CD of their music.

Hilary Mirrey, a school governor of some 18 years standing, said it was great to see the school doing so well and thanked Ms Pawley, the chair of governors Andrew Forsyth and all the staff for their hard work.

"It's wonderful to have the school back to what it used to be a long time ago. It was always a happy school and it is lovely to get it back to that."

Ms Pawley took over in September 2001. She said improvements were down to teamwork and improved curriculum planning which ensured that everyone knew what was going on in other classes.

She added that the experience of special measures was a good thing for the school, rather than a punishment for failure.

"You get access to all the latest technology and all the LEA advisers for free. If you use them properly it can be quite a positive thing being in special measures."

February 7, 2003 10:00