Newcastle MP Paul Farrelly has paid tribute to a local primary school which has been recognised as one of the most improved in the country.
Ten years ago Hempstalls Primary, at Cross Heath, was placed in special measures and was receiving support to turn around its performance.
Since then, under the leadership of Head teacher Lynne Bennett, the school has been transformed and was recently judged to be the most improved in Staffordshire and among the top five per cent of most improved schools in the country.
In 2009, the school recorded a 100 per cent success rate for year six pupils achieving level four in maths and science in their SATs tests. An impressive 92 per cent achieved the same grade in English.
The school prides itself on encouraging more independent learning among children and Paul said it was clear that the staff, governors, parents and pupils all shared the commitment to improvement.
"The Hempstall’s motto is Learning and Laughing Together and it’s quite evident that this is an ethos that is now firmly embedded in the day to day culture of the school," he said. "Everyone involved in Hempstalls’ journey to excellence deserves to be congratulated."
In 2008, as a result of continuing Government investment, the school opened a Sure Start centre and Mrs Bennett said this had also contributed to the turnaround in the school’s performance.
"More parents have become involved in supporting their children’s learning and their input cannot be underestimated," she said.