Hurlingham and Chelsea School, once placed in special measures, have managed to reverse their fortunes in just seven years.
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A Fulham secondary school has been praised by Ofsted for a seven year turn around in its performance to be called ‘outstanding’.
Hurlingham and Chelsea School had been placed in special measures seven years ago after a damming inspection found several issues with the standard of education the school was providing.
Everything from sub-standard teaching to poor attendance and bad pupil behaviour was highlighted.
Due to this poor report the council looked at closing the school.
However Hurlingham and Chelsea was saved after receiving strong support to save it.
The work of head teacher Phil Cross has led the school through consecutive years of improvement culminating in the ‘outstanding’ judgement the school has received.
Mr Cross said: “Naturally we are delighted that the independent inspectors have recognised the work we have been doing at Hurlingham and Chelsea.
“Our success is the direct result of staff, students and parents working hard together to generate the current high standards.”
Now the school has been praised by Ofsted for giving students an “outstanding quality of education”.
Ofsted inspector John Daniell said: “The school has previously gone through turbulent times but the very strong leadership demonstrated by the head teacher and his committed senior leadership team has successfully led the school through these, and the school is now held in very high by students parents and carers, staff and members of the local community.”
The school plans to celebrate this vote of confidence from local members of the community by opening a Sands End community library.
The library is planning to open in 2012 and will further add to existing services at the school.
The excellent results for Hurlingham and Chelsea mean that six of Hammersmith and Fulham’s nine secondary schools are now officially in the top category possible.
Councillor Helen Binmore, Hammersmith and Fulham cabinet member for children’s services, said: “It is an inspirational turnaround for a school that was in special measures seven years ago, and helps meet the council’s goal of ensuring all young students in the borough have access to the highest quality secondary education.”
