Schools In The Spotlight: What a turnaround at Rawthorpe Junior!

May 29 2008 by Hazel Ettienne, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

What a turnaround at Rawthorpe Junior!

A SCHOOL at the heart of the community has been rewarded for its mission to put children first.

Rawthorpe Junior has been given a glowing report by Government education inspectors, who judged it to be a good school with outstanding features.

And Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman visited pupils and staff at the school to congratulate them for their hard work and achievements, which have turned the school around since the last inspection two years ago.

When Ofsted inspectors visited in 2006 standards were well below average, teaching no better than satisfactory and attendance well below average.

But, says the report, these issues have been tackled with remarkable skill.

Head teacher Ian Williamson said: “The children, staff, parents and governors have worked hard to ensure standards have shot ahead.

“The children love coming to school and are rightly proud of their many achievements.

“Rawthorpe Junior is a happy school. The children enjoy their learning and the many extra-curricular activities the school offers.

“We firmly believe that the children are at the heart of the school and the school is at the heart of the community.”

Deputy head teacher Brian Williams said: “It’s wonderful to see Mr Sheerman making the time to come here to congratulate the children.

“Who knows, he may inspire some of our children to move from helping to run the school to helping to run the country.’’