New head is appointed (From Oxford Mail)

New head is appointed

12:00pm Wednesday 13th April 2011 in Education

STAFF and governors at a troubled Abingdon primary school say their new headteacher is key to recovery.

Thameside School was placed in special measures last October after an Ofsted report criticised teaching standards and children’s progess.

Headteacher Sally Crowther, who was on long-term sick leave, resigned last month after six years in the job.

The Cotman Close school has appointed Joseph Rubba, currently head at Witney’s St Mary’s Infants, to take over in September.

Thameside has been in and out of special measures since 1999 and faces regular inspections until progress is made.

The latest Ofsted visit in March found the school had made satisfactory improvements but it remains in special measures as it said more needed to be done.

Acting headteacher Anna Grice said: “We’re very confident in the appointment the governors have made and the staff are very positive.”

She added: “The standard of teaching and learning is much improved from when it went into special measures.”

Chairman of governors Sharron Jenkinson said: “We all feel that the school is really moving forward now.”

Mr Rubba said: “I’m looking forward to the challenge ahead and I think the school has the teachers and the staff to do it.”