A Witham school is celebrating an early Christmas present with news that they have achieved a turn-around in educational performance in just 18 months.

Howbridge C of E Junior School has been taken out of "special measures" by HM Inspectors of Schools and not only has the school been upgraded - but the pupils have been praised for their high standards of behaviour and politeness.

It is also the first primary school in the Essex Local Education Authority to come out of special measures.

"I am delighted that the extremely hard work that all the staff and children in the school have put in over the last 18 months has had such a successful and speedy result," says headteacher Mrs Mary Armson, who has carried out the action plan formulated by her and governors just 13 months ago after she took over at the school.

The decision to upgrade the school comes after the last in a series of inspectors' visits where they found that 92 per cent of the teaching was satisfactory or good.

"With the high standards of behaviour and politeness by children it had been a pleasure to visit the school," said the inspectors in their report.

As well as educational standards the school administration and finances were scrutinised and, said Mrs Armson: "Our office has also been audited and has also received a glowing report. The financial management of the school is now on an extremely sound footing.

"The past 18 months has been a very daunting experience for all of us under the constant scrutiny of school inspectors.

"Our teachers have been absolutely wonderful and deserve their success through their hard work and commitment to ensure that children at Howbridge School are provided with the best possible learning environment in which to learn."

Praising the school's progress, Phillip Willmot chairman of governors, commented: "The enormous progress made since Mrs Armson's appointment shortly after the school was confirmed to be in special measures, is a fantastic tribute to Mary who in her first headship has had to face up to some of the sternest challenges she could expect to find in her career.

"Together with the staff she has turned the major tasks of 1997 into a great success in 1998."

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