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School taken out of special measures
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| Headteacher Sue Mortimer |
Rose Hill Primary School has extra reasons to celebrate the end of the school year after it was taken out of special measures.
The school in The Oval, Oxford, was deemed two years ago to be failing its pupils - but inspectors from Government education watchdog Ofsted have announced it has improved "beyond all recognition".
It has been transformed from a school where standards were low and achievement inadequate to a place where children love to learn, inspectors said.
Inspector Cathie Munt said: "Everyone involved should be proud of the progress made. The school has been turned around in a comparatively short time."
Chairman of the school governors Marya Griffiths, an ex-pupil, said it was no coincidence this had happened since the arrival of headteacher Sue Mortimer two years ago.
Mrs Griffiths said: "We are absolutely thrilled. It's the most wonderful way to end the school year.
"A huge amount of teamwork has gone on, but the person who really needs to be recognised in all of this is Sue Mortimer. She's a star."
Prior to her appointment, the school had not had a permanent headteacher and was struggling to hit targets.
Mrs Griffiths said: "Sue has been at the heart of it all. She's been inspirational. We are incredibly lucky to have her. We won't be resting on our laurels. We want to go forward from this."
The inspectors singled out the "outstanding leadership" of Mrs Mortimer as well as the "dogged determination", hard work and diligence of staff and governors.
Mrs Mortimer said: "It's been a team effort. We've all put our hearts and minds into what has needed to be done and we've achieved a great outcome. I'm thrilled to bits."
Inspectors noted that children at the school, where more than a third of the 316 pupils do not speak English as their first language and the majority have moderate learning difficulties, "could not stop singing its praises".
Although the report said painting done by staff, their families and volunteers in classrooms and corridors had helped breath light and life into the "dark, dismal and depressing" school building, some areas were in need of more than a facelift.
It is one of several city primary schools which could be substantially rebuilt as part of a £67m county package of improvements.
Two county schools are still in special measures: Dashwood Community Primary School, in Merton Street, Banbury, and Thameside Primary School, in Cotman Close, Abingdon.
5:26am Wednesday 23rd July 2008
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CommentPosted by: Joe, Marston Road on 8:56am Wed 23 Jul 08
"Rose Hill Primary School has extra reasons to celebrate the end of the school year after it was taken out of special measures".
Loosely translated politico speak; this means the teachers have acually bothered to attend the School on a regular basis and not leave it to the 'teaching assistants'.
Staff room chat; "It is not your turn to be sick next week", "Check the sick roster we drew up earlier in the term"!
"Rose Hill Primary School has extra reasons to celebrate the end of the school year after it was taken out of special measures".
Loosely translated politico speak; this means the teachers have acually bothered to attend the School on a regular basis and not leave it to the 'teaching assistants'.
Staff room chat; "It is not your turn to be sick next week", "Check the sick roster we drew up earlier in the term"!
Posted by: Mr Angry, Oxford on 9:06am Wed 23 Jul 08
[quote][bold]Joe[/bold] wrote:
"Rose Hill Primary School has extra reasons to celebrate the end of the school year after it was taken out of special measures". Loosely translated politico speak; this means the teachers have acually bothered to attend the School on a regular basis and not leave it to the 'teaching assistants'. Staff room chat; "It is not your turn to be sick next week", "Check the sick roster we drew up earlier in the term"! [/quote] That is a shocking comment to tar all teachers with this brush.
My wife is a teacher in a Primary school, and you will never meet a more committed and dedicated person, who in her 4 years as a teacher is yet to take time off sick.
Shame on you Joe. A good news article, and heaven knows there are few enough of them, and you drop to this level.
Congratulations to all at Rose Hill Primary School.
Joe wrote:
"Rose Hill Primary School has extra reasons to celebrate the end of the school year after it was taken out of special measures". Loosely translated politico speak; this means the teachers have acually bothered to attend the School on a regular basis and not leave it to the 'teaching assistants'. Staff room chat; "It is not your turn to be sick next week", "Check the sick roster we drew up earlier in the term"!
That is a shocking comment to tar all teachers with this brush.
My wife is a teacher in a Primary school, and you will never meet a more committed and dedicated person, who in her 4 years as a teacher is yet to take time off sick.
Shame on you Joe. A good news article, and heaven knows there are few enough of them, and you drop to this level.
Congratulations to all at Rose Hill Primary School.
Posted by: Joe, Marston Road on 10:23am Wed 23 Jul 08
[quote][bold]Mr Angry[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Joe[/bold] wrote: \"Rose Hill Primary School has extra reasons to celebrate the end of the school year after it was taken out of special measures\". Loosely translated politico speak; this means the teachers have acually bothered to attend the School on a regular basis and not leave it to the \'teaching assistants\'. Staff room chat; \"It is not your turn to be sick next week\", \"Check the sick roster we drew up earlier in the term\"! [/quote] That is a shocking comment to tar all teachers with this brush. My wife is a teacher in a Primary school, and you will never meet a more committed and dedicated person, who in her 4 years as a teacher is yet to take time off sick. Shame on you Joe. A good news article, and heaven knows there are few enough of them, and you drop to this level. Congratulations to all at Rose Hill Primary School.[/quote] [bold]Mrs Sue Mortimer.[/bold]
"Prior to her appointment, the school had not had a permanent headteacher and was struggling to hit targets".
[bold]Mr Angry.[/bold] This is in no way a sleight upon your wifes undoubted commitment and dedication.
I have personal experience of the standards in this school and I believe the above statement, really, says it all.
Before Mrs Sue Mortimers appointment,the teaching standards were far below acceptable
levels. With the motivation and dedication levels also being at a very low level.
Now it is on the up, congratulations to all at the school.
I must improve the way I put over points; and hope not to be misread!
Regards to you both and good luck in the future for the School.
Mr Angry wrote:
Joe wrote: \"Rose Hill Primary School has extra reasons to celebrate the end of the school year after it was taken out of special measures\". Loosely translated politico speak; this means the teachers have acually bothered to attend the School on a regular basis and not leave it to the \'teaching assistants\'. Staff room chat; \"It is not your turn to be sick next week\", \"Check the sick roster we drew up earlier in the term\"!
That is a shocking comment to tar all teachers with this brush. My wife is a teacher in a Primary school, and you will never meet a more committed and dedicated person, who in her 4 years as a teacher is yet to take time off sick. Shame on you Joe. A good news article, and heaven knows there are few enough of them, and you drop to this level. Congratulations to all at Rose Hill Primary School.
Mrs Sue Mortimer.
"Prior to her appointment, the school had not had a permanent headteacher and was struggling to hit targets".
Mr Angry. This is in no way a sleight upon your wifes undoubted commitment and dedication.
I have personal experience of the standards in this school and I believe the above statement, really, says it all.
Before Mrs Sue Mortimers appointment,the teaching standards were far below acceptable
levels. With the motivation and dedication levels also being at a very low level.
Now it is on the up, congratulations to all at the school.
I must improve the way I put over points; and hope not to be misread!
Regards to you both and good luck in the future for the School.
Posted by: Barry, Northern Ireland on 1:36pm Wed 23 Jul 08
It's nice to see this school is now still going strong I was one of the first pupils at this school when it was built and I am 65 now although in those days it was very strict pity schools could not revert to those days kids would have more respect. Long may this school stay as a school
It's nice to see this school is now still going strong I was one of the first pupils at this school when it was built and I am 65 now although in those days it was very strict pity schools could not revert to those days kids would have more respect. Long may this school stay as a school
Posted by: Mr Britain, Oxford on 1:40pm Wed 23 Jul 08
Inspectors noted that children at the school, where more than a third of the 316 pupils do not speak English as their first language - perhaps this is the real reason the school was on special measures - too many immigrants , propably dragging down all those around them as well , but thats Nu Labour for you , cant have little Johhny whiteboy being seen to do better than the ethnic minority, that would not be fair
Inspectors noted that children at the school, where more than a third of the 316 pupils do not speak English as their first language - perhaps this is the real reason the school was on special measures - too many immigrants , propably dragging down all those around them as well , but thats Nu Labour for you , cant have little Johhny whiteboy being seen to do better than the ethnic minority, that would not be fair
Posted by: OxfordMan, Oxford on 1:54pm Wed 23 Jul 08
'little Johhny whiteboy' of Rose Hill is probably no Einstein to be honest. And you could improve your own spelling too. Idiot!
'little Johhny whiteboy' of Rose Hill is probably no Einstein to be honest. And you could improve your own spelling too. Idiot!
Posted by: sim, oxford on 9:15am Thu 24 Jul 08
whoo hooo to our school,
the teachers,govs and staff have done excellent. a huge well done :)
many people said that Mrs Mortimer wouldn't do it but she did, i think she needs a clap for all the hard work she put into her school, so when we go back after the summer hols if all the parents of the school get to read this, please come back me up.
whoo hooo to our school,
the teachers,govs and staff have done excellent. a huge well done :)
many people said that Mrs Mortimer wouldn't do it but she did, i think she needs a clap for all the hard work she put into her school, so when we go back after the summer hols if all the parents of the school get to read this, please come back me up.
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