School fighting back after Ofsted criticism

 Jane Fearnley, head of Herringthorpe Junior School, has been drafted in a interim consultant head teacher.

The school’s original head, Jackie Crawford, and her deputy, Simon Greaves, are both absent through illness.

Two governors have resigned and Rotherham Council has appointed an additional member, who has been made vice-chairman of the governors.

A new special needs coordinator has been appointed as well as a supply teacher to cover Mr Greaves’ class.

Ofsted produced a scathing inspection report in January, but inspector John Young said: “The consultant head teacher has added direction and impetus to the school’s efforts to improve.

“Governors accept the shortcomings levelled against them in the report and, with the support of school leaders and the local authority, they have taken steps to sharpen their practice.

“The school’s recently redrafted improvement plan is fit for purpose. The earlier plan lacked the necessary detail and coherence between planned actions and how these would address the areas for improvement.”

A council spokesman added: “We are now working with the school to support the school leadership in the longer term.