Castle Hill - the start and end of special measures
By Martin Chapman on Friday, 22nd February 2002.
Staff, students and parents alike are celebrating after Castle Hill Middle School was lifted from special measures.
The announcement came following a two-day Ofsted inspection earlier this week.
The school was placed on the scheme two-and-a-half years ago after Government inspectors judged the school to be failing.
When Jean Waite announced sent a letter home to parents announcing her resignation parents campaigned for her to stay. But she said she had to leave: “for the sake of the school.”
In March of last year, Lynne Austin head teacher of Hardwick Middle School in Bury St Edmunds joined the school in positive spirits.
“I would not have taken the job if I did not think I could do it,” Mrs Austin said.
However just one month after starting at Castle Hill, a number of parents voiced concerns about the school, and even called for it’s closure.
Speaking in April Sharon Gooch said: “They're not going to get it out of special measures and you are not going to get the best for the children unless you shut this school and reopen it with a new head and new teachers”
In September last year, Sally Holmes was appointed as the new head teacher, and Tom Scherb, of the Education department was “very optimistic” of special measures being lifted.
Finally today, Tom Scherb announced that the school had been lifted from special measures to the delight of staff, students and parents alike.
The announcement came following a two-day Ofsted inspection earlier this week.
The school was placed on the scheme two-and-a-half years ago after Government inspectors judged the school to be failing.
When Jean Waite announced sent a letter home to parents announcing her resignation parents campaigned for her to stay. But she said she had to leave: “for the sake of the school.”
In March of last year, Lynne Austin head teacher of Hardwick Middle School in Bury St Edmunds joined the school in positive spirits.
“I would not have taken the job if I did not think I could do it,” Mrs Austin said.
However just one month after starting at Castle Hill, a number of parents voiced concerns about the school, and even called for it’s closure.
Speaking in April Sharon Gooch said: “They're not going to get it out of special measures and you are not going to get the best for the children unless you shut this school and reopen it with a new head and new teachers”
In September last year, Sally Holmes was appointed as the new head teacher, and Tom Scherb, of the Education department was “very optimistic” of special measures being lifted.
Finally today, Tom Scherb announced that the school had been lifted from special measures to the delight of staff, students and parents alike.
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