Making real improvements (From Stroud News and Journal)

Making real improvements

CALLOWELL School has come on leaps and bounds since its devastating Ofsted report in February last year.

Under the leadership of new head teacher Mary McLearie the school has turned itself around.

And the changes are apparent the moment visitors step through the door - the children seem much happier and the school looks much brighter, more vibrant and more welcoming.

With the help of 130,000 from the Local Education Authority (LEA) Callowell has been spruced up with extensive renovations throughout the school.

On Friday the county primary held a special day in celebration of learning at the school, attended by Stroud MP David Drew.

The MP congratulated the school on all the progress that had been made and praised the effort that had gone into making it all happen.

"It does look wonderful," he said.

"It just shows that a lick of paint and a few changes can make a huge difference."

"It's better, brighter and a nicer environment for the children to learn in."

But he said there was something even more important than the new look of Callowell.

"I know how hard people have worked, and not just to get the fabric right," he said.

"What makes a school is not just the buildings but the people who are in them," he added, praising everyone who had played a part in the school's improvement.

Ms McLearie said the school's rejuvenation was a team effort.

"We've still got a lot to do but we've already made some inroads," Ms McLearie told visitors.

"We've had parents and governors coming in to scrape and paint and put up shelves," she laughed.

All the classrooms have been fully refurbished and the Caterpillars Playgroup has relocated so it is now next door to the reception classroom.

Both the early years rooms have access to a secure play courtyard, decorated with a colourful mural with an underwater theme inspired by the ideas of the children themselves.

A new computer suite means children can get to grips with the latest technology from an early age.

"It's all important, it's their future," said the head teacher.

"The children have got to learn the skills for their future."

Andrew Charles, vice chairman of the board of governors, described recent improvements at Callowell as absolutely incredible.

"Mary's been a wonderful asset," he said.

"In the time she's been here the school has really flourished," he told the News & Journal.

"Both the facilities and the whole ethos of the place have been really brought on.

"It's a wonderful transformation, it really is."