Staff, parents, children and Governors at St James CE Primary School, Hanney are celebrating their overall rating of “Good”, after a recent SIAMS Inspection when the inspector praised the school for its rapid improvement and spiritual development.
The Rev Dr Jason Phillips, who carried out the SIAMS (Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools) inspection just before Christmas, wrote: “The Headteacher is fully supported by staff and governors in constantly working to raise pupil achievement”. The report also stated that St James is “a rapidly improving school where Christian values influence positively” and it was noted that “the school enables spiritual, social, moral and cultural development through its wide curriculum and extra-curricular activities”.
St James currently has 119 pupils and is expanding to accommodate the growing number of homes and families moving into the village. Four additional classrooms are currently under construction which will double the size of the school. The school converted to an academy and joined the Vale Academy Trust in March 2016.
Chair of the school’s Local Governing Body, Kathy Ethelston, commented: “I believe the report is a good reflection of how much we have achieved in a relatively short period of time. We still have work to do to achieve our vision for St James but we are well on our way”. Headteacher Janice Peacock added “It is great to have external validation of the improvements happening at St James. It was a great way to end a busy term.”