A school has been saved from the threat of closure after it was taken off a hit-list by education watchdogs.

Elm Hall Primary School in Witham was told to do better or face closure after a scathing 1997 Ofsted report criticised it for failing pupils.

The Conrad Road school was placed on a special measures hit-list with an action plan drawn up and a new headteacher appointed.

And after a two-year battle to improve standards Government inspectors have taken the school out of special measures in the latest Ofsted report.

Delighted headteacher Hilary Allen said: "We had a lot of work to do in all areas and it has been a combined effort which has helped us succeed. Everyone has worked hard to bring standards up.

"We had to put new procedures in place but children aren't like a factory production line. It has taken time because we are dealing with human beings."

The report praised the school's efforts at turning round its fortunes.

It said: "Considerable time and attention have been given lately to establishing thoughtful and considerate behaviour and this is beginning to have a positive impact on the school's ethos."

The school was described as running "smoothly and efficiently" with the headteacher providing "thoughtful and conscientious leadership".

The report added: "The school has the policies and the procedures to maintain the progress recently won."

Chairman of governors Richard Tincknell added: "It's a major turnabout but we were very confident we could do it. Failing again was not an option with all the hard work put in by staff, children and parents."

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