A HALESOWEN primary school has transformed its fortunes by turning a 'requires improvement' Ofsted rating on its head.

Huntingtree Primary has now been rated 'good' after inspectors visited the school in February.

In 2016 inspectors gave the school on Huntingtree Road a 'requires improvement' status, citing problems with the quality of teaching, with a large proportion of new teachers who had been in post for less than a year.

But since headteacher James Harrold took over in September 2016 the school has gone from strength to strength and has now been rated good in all areas apart from 'outcomes for pupils' for which it received a 'requires improvement' rating.

The report states: "The headteacher has an ambitious vision for the school and is determined to see it succeed.

"Leaders, staff and pupils share his views.

"Senior leaders monitor teaching and pupils’ progress carefully. They have clear, focused and relevant improvement plans.

It goes on: "Good teaching ensures that the majority of current pupils are making good progress.

"Teachers’ subject knowledge and their effective use of questioning ensure that learning is deepened for the majority of pupils."

Governors were also praised, as was pupils' behaviour and the school's early years provision.

But the school still 'required improvement' in the area of 'outcomes for pupils' with the report stating: "In 2017 and 2018 at key stage 2, all groups of pupils made slow progress in reading

and mathematics.

"As a result, levels of attainment in these curriculum areas have been below average.

"In the previous two years, the school was in the bottom 20 per cent of all schools nationally for progress in reading across key stage 2.

"School assessment information and evidence in pupils’ books suggest that progress is now improving in reading and mathematics across the school.

"As a result of this, levels of attainment are improving in these subjects and moving towards the national average."

Since the inspection in June 2016 the headteacher, deputy headteacher, two assistant headteachers and ten other teachers left the school.