PARENTS and teachers at Rose Hill Primary school have been praised after inspectors said it was making good progress towards moving out of special measures.

The school in The Oval was placed on Ofsted's monitoring list after a scathing report in November said it was inadequate in all areas.

But following a progress inspection last month, the education watchdog has said staff at the school are "taking effective action towards the removal of special measures".

Headteacher Sue Vermes said it was a "small step in the right direction" but much work still had to be done.

She said: "The staff have really had to work very hard.

"They worked hard before but have worked even harder since we were inspected in November so it is nice to see that acknowledged.

"Most parents report their children are happy to come to school, they feel behaviour is improving, and they feel welcome in school.

"There is a lot more to do and we completely accept that.

"We are very pleased the inspector said we are not complacent."

When the school was inspected by Ofsted in November, inspectors said pupils were "not prepared well enough for life in modern Britain".

A number of health and safety issues were raised, such as children disappearing from the sight of staff during playtime, and standards were said to have declined "significantly".

Ms Vermes said staff had undergone a "large amount" of training since then and there had been a greater focus on ensuring good teaching.

In the past the school has also suffered from a high turnover of staff but Ms Vermes said this would be less of a problem in the next academic year.

She said: "We are retaining a lot of teachers and gaining experienced teachers in September.

"Most of our teachers are staying and that is a much more stable start to the year than in the past two Septembers.

"People have come forward to say they would like to come and help."

Ms Vermes said youngsters at the school have been given access to a much bigger range of books, which they are able to take home and read with their parents.

She also thanked Magdalen College School after some of its pupils took part in a readathon with youngsters at Rose Hill.

The primary school's board of governors was replaced at the start of June by an interim executive board, which is intended to speed up the school's improvement further.

Former chairman of the board of governors Robin Gill, who was in place during the inadequate Ofsted report, said he was pleased with the progress the school had made.

He said: "I am delighted that Ofsted is now recognising the school leadership team is taking effective action to improve children's attainment and get out of special measures.

"Last time the school was in special measures it took about 18 months to get out and I hope it will be quicker this time.

"Sue has been working hard and she has the confidence of staff.

"I am sure things will continue to improve.

"A lot more has still to be done in terms of raising attainment and that will be made all the more challenging with cuts to funding that all schools will face."