DESPITE the vast majority of schools in the county being rated ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ some are still struggling to make the grade.

But at John Henry Newman Academy in Littlemore staff are working hard to turn things around on the back of an ‘inadequate’ rating following an Ofsted inspection in June 2014.

The school had been given the equivalent ranking of ‘satisfactory’ when it was previously inspected and has a history of being in special measures.

Principal Jackie Ranger, who took over in September 2013, said great progress was being made.

She said: “We have been really building our partnerships with parents in terms of making sure they understand the curriculum and how they can best support their children at home.

“Although 80 per cent of our kids come into reception below expectations we have got 70 per cent reaching a good level of achievement by the end.

“We know we are a school in challenging circumstances and in terms of our children attaining like other children across the country who do not have the same challenges. It is difficult. But we want them to make expected progress across our school.”

Mrs Ranger said engaging with the community was key.

She said: “When I started here parents did not even say hello to me.

“Each morning I welcome every single parent and child to our school. If they have an issue they can come to me in the playground and get it sorted. I want Ofsted to measure us by all these things.”