A WANTAGE headteacher has been called “visionary” by the Church of England.

Wantage CofE Primary School headteacher Clare Morgan was given the accolade by the church’s schools inspection body.

Church schools are inspected by education watchdog Ofsted, but SIAMS – Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools – checks they are “distinctively and recognisably Christian institutions”.

Inspector Jane Tuckett, who visited Wantage in January, called Mrs Morgan, who joined in September, a “dedicated and visionary head”.

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The 438-pupil school on Newbury Street was given a rating of “good”, but told it was “well on the way to becoming an outstanding church school”.

It was the first inspection since the school became an academy in 2013, when it co-founded the Vale Academy Trust with Wantage secondary King Alfred’s.

Mrs Morgan, who lives in Kidlington, praised parents’ and governors’ work.

She said: “Wantage is a wonderful school and we are delighted our inspection recognised just some of the great things going on. Our parent community is great, our children are hardworking and happy and we are well supported by a dedicated team of governors and the members of the Vale Academy trust.

“We have the ongoing support of our local parish church, St Peter and St Paul’s. We have all the ingredients we need to continue to offer a wonderful school experience to our children.”

The inspector said the school had a “strongly distinctive Christian ethos”.

She said: “The focus on teaching and learning, monitoring and tracking, and the teachers’ willingness to embrace change all contribute to significant improvements in achievement for all pupils, reflecting the school’s Christian motto.”

Strong links with Wantage’s Ss Peter and Paul Church “broadened pupils’ understanding of Anglican traditions”.

Ms Tuckett said, however, the school needed to improve pupils’ understanding of other faiths.

The school should also “develop frameworks which allow pupils to be more involved in planning and leading collective worship, thus enhancing spiritual development and their sense of ownership”.

Vicar of Wantage Fr John Salter said: “Jane Tuckett’s report is a resounding affirmation of our church school. I am particularly pleased with her emphasis on progress and forward planning.”