An Oxford primary has become the latest in a string of city schools to be taken out of special measures.

John Henry Newman Primary School, in Littlemore, was told it no longer needed special measures two weeks after similar celebrations at SS Mary and John Primary School, in East Oxford.

That leaves just one city primary, Cutteslowe, requiring the additional assistance and support after failing an Ofsted report. Cutteslowe is looking to team up with Cherwell School and become an academy to drive up standards.

Oxfordshire County Council cabinet member for schools improvement Melinda Tilley described the schools’ achievements as “a little rainbow appearing”.

She said: “Special measures means you really focus and keep focused on attainment, teamwork and leadership.

“They forget about the troublesome boiler or leaky windows to concentrate and keep focused on those things.

“It’s not an easy lesson, but I am chuffed with this result.”

John Henry Newman School received a satisfactory overall rating from Ofsted inspectors, but was told teaching quality and leadership and management were good.

In his report Ian Hodgkinson, who visited the school in February, said it had made “rapid improvements” under the “excellent direction” of new headteacher Lisa Biggin, who was appointed in September 2011.

He said progress had accelerated and teaching quality had shot up since the school went into special measures in April 2010, when there was no permanent headteacher.

Ms Biggin said: “There was a significant amount to be done. Good attainment comes from quality learning and teaching, which has been the driver since my appointment.

“Staff have been motivated and charged to make a difference to these children.”

Ms Biggin, who returned to teaching to take the post after a time spent as an educational consultant, described the school as a “very special place” with a vibrant culture.

Lindsey Pitking, from Sandford, has a seven-year-old daughter, Rosanna, at the school. She said: “It’s a much better school now.

“We have an excellent headteacher who is friendly and approachable and she has made lots of moves forward.”

The other primaries currently in special measures in Oxfordshire are Thameside, in Abingdon, Chalgrove, Middle Barton and Wheatley.

Many schools in Oxfordshire are looking at or in the process of converting to academies, and Oxfordshire County Council is encouraging schools to team up to form multi-academy trusts and umbrella trusts.

Mrs Tilley said she hoped this arrangement meant schools could pool resources to focus on the issues which distract them from improvement. She added: “Headteachers have generally got there because they are good leaders and good teachers.

“Worrying about boilers is not something they should be doing.”

OUT OF SPECIAL MEASURES SS Mary and John School, East Oxford, went into special measures in November 2010 and came out this month.

St Christopher’s Primary, Cowley, went into special measures in May 2009 and came out in May 2011.

Wheatley Park School, Holton, went into special measures in September 2009 and came out in February 2011.