Academy status for Matlock primary school

St Giles Primary School, in Starkholmes, and The Diocese of Derby have recieved word from the Secretary of State that it is to recieve academy status.

A statement from the school said: “St Giles will now join other schools already working within the Derby Diocesan Academy Trust (DDAT), including schools currently judged to be outstanding.

“This decision now enables the school to make firm plans on its journey to once again be recognised as an outstanding provider of education for pupils in the Starkholmes and Matlock area.”

After the school went into special measures in September 2013, parents became discontented with the head teacher Reverend Julie Stanton.

A petition was handed into Ofsted by parents calling for Rev Stanton to be removed from her position, after which she was removed at short notice. Suzanne Forster is now acting head of the school.

The statement continued: “One of the first tasks will be to prepare for transition from the Interim Executive Board (IEB) to the DDAT board and a new appropriately skilled Local Governing body.

“DDAT will work closely with the IEB until the point of conversion. St Giles is already an improving school and one on an exciting journey of further improvement.

“Children will continue to receive high quality provision and care will be taken to ensure that the pace and timing of the conversion is in the best interest of pupils.

“As part of DDAT the school will play an active role working with other schools within the Highfields cluster and Derbyshire. High quality teaching and learning will remain at the heart of all we do to bring stretch and challenge to all our learners. The distinctively Christian climate and culture of the school will not change so that we will continue to provide education for pupils of all faiths and none.

“We firmly believe that the key to successful learning is to develop in all children a love of learning and a thirst for knowledge that is built on high expectations, raising aspiration and celebrating achievement so that the school continues to offer children life in all its fullness.”