Express & Star

From Special Measures to Outstanding in two years: Kings Hill Primary school celebrates remarkable turnaround

A school which was in Special Measures just two years ago has now been rated Outstanding across the board by an education watchdog.

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Pupils celebrate the top rating.

Kings Hill Primary, in Wednesbury, was given the basement rating of Inadequate by Ofsted in 2013.

It had elevated itself to 'Requires Improvement' in January 2016 which saw it lifted out of Special Measures but now, following the latest inspection in January, the school has been rated top of the class.

The regulator gave it the highest rating of Outstanding in every key area.

Headteacher Nin Matharu has helped lead the turnaround. She was appointed by Walsall Councilt to support the school on a part-time basis in September 2014, became interim head by the following January and then the substantive headteacher in September 2016.

Mrs Matharu said: "Everyone at King’s Hill is absolutely delighted, proud and so pleased. We are an amazing team here and all staff and pupils have worked incredibly hard to achieve the ‘Outstanding’ judgement.

"I would like to thank parents for the support that they have shown the school and just to say, the hard work continues. Let's celebrate for now though, what has been achieved and make sure our children get the best education they can possibly get."

Councillor Aftab Nawaz, education chief, added: "This is well deserved and continues to address our key priority of every child in Walsall attending a Good or better school.

"It is also a remarkable turnaround as the school went into Special Measures in November 2013 and was still in Special Measures just two years ago.

"This is a proud moment for the community of Darlaston and for Walsall Borough as a whole.

"The headteacher and her team have shown outstanding leadership and worked tirelessly to ensure that all children at the school are getting the best educational opportunities thus improving their future life chances.

"Progress made by all pupils at the school is exceptional - the school, the teachers, Mrs Matharu and the parents are to be congratulated."

While chair of governors Michael Fox said: "The journey from Special Measures to Outstanding has been rapid as a result of experienced, highly effective leadership and management.

"This, coupled with very high expectations of what pupils can achieve, has led to consistently high standards.

“As governors, we are proud that we are able to provide an outstanding setting for the pupils of King’s Hill to have the best possible start in life and would like to thank Walsall Council for having confidence in the leadership of this school.”