A SKIPTON school is celebrating after coming out of special measures in less than a year.

Ings Community Primary and Nursery School will open its doors to prospective families next week so they can see what it has to offer.

The school, in the town's Broughton Road, was put into special measures towards the end of November last year after it was judged inadequate by inspectors, who said pupils' attainment in mathematics and literature was too low and teachers gave too little guidance on how to improve their work.

But now inspectors have decided it can come out of special measures, though it is 'requiring improvement'.

Headteacher Donna Makepeace said she was thrilled the school was out of special measures ahead of schedule and that staff, leaders and governors were now all united to drive improvement further so that the school could offer the highest standards of teaching and learning to local children.

As a result Ings primary is holding an open week from next Monday to Friday so interested parents and families can book to meet Mrs Makepeace and staff and see what the school has to offer.

“We want families to come in and see what a happy and very positive school we have here,” said Mrs Makepeace. “As the new headteacher I recognise all of the efforts that have already gone into this achievement, including the support from other schools and the local authority.

Determination and a continued drive for sustained improvement will ensure the best outcomes for all of our children."

The lead inspector praised the school for moving out of special measures ahead of time and said it was testimony to the ‘vision, drive, ambition and sheer determination’ of all those involved - the interim executive board of governors, school leaders, staff, children, the community and local authority.

The inspection report said:

l A positive ethos currently exists where teaching and behaviour can flourish.

l Teaching has improved significantly under the current leadership and so has pupils’ progress.

l School leaders set clear expectations and boundaries for behaviour that pupils adhere to.

l Leaders are aware of what needs to be done to achieve good provision and outcomes and further improvement.

“This is excellent news,” said Cllr Arthur Barker, North Yorkshire County Council’s executive member for schools. “Our priority in North Yorkshire is for all children to have access to good or outstanding schools. They deserve nothing less. We will continue to support Ings and the school’s staff and leadership are determined that they will continue to improve provision.

"Inspectors have judged Ings as no longer in special measures but ‘requiring improvement’. Everybody in the school is now pulling together so that the school will become good or better in every respect.”

The interim executive board will move to create a permanent governing body and to make the headship permanent in 2015.

“I am delighted that Ofsted has recognised the significant improvement at Ings over the last year or so,” said David Portlock, chair of governors. “Moving out of special measures in a little over a year is just reward for the dedication and hard work of my colleagues on the interim executive board of governors and the leadership of the school.

“Most importantly, it is recognition of the fantastic contribution of the whole school community - children, parents, carers and staff - to the great progress achieved. We are now focused on moving Ings to good.”

The open week runs from Monday to Friday between 9.30am and 11.30 am. Please contact the school on 01756 793159 to arrange to visit.