A SCHOOL once branded in need of significant improvement has achieved a remarkable turn-around in form. Oak View Primary School in Hatfield has been graded good overall, following

A SCHOOL once branded in need of "significant improvement" has achieved a remarkable turn-around in form.

Oak View Primary School in Hatfield has been graded "good" overall, following its latest Ofsted inspection.

This completes a remarkable turnaround for the Woods Avenue school which, in March 2008, was served with a notice to improve just six months into its existence.

Formed in September 2007, following the merger of New Briars and Stream Woods schools, Oak View's first Ofsted report said its accommodation, grounds and quality of teaching, all needed "significant improvement".

But in latest report, inspector David Speakman said: "The school now provides a good quality of education."

He also praised the leadership of headteacher Yvonne Davis as "outstanding," and added: "Her exceptional clarity of vision, attention to detail and determination to improve the school's [education] provision has enabled rapid improvement to take place."

Mrs Davis said she thought the school's improved grade was "well-deserved".

She said: "All the teachers put 100 per cent in.

"They have worked extremely hard to turn things around for the school."

Chair of governors Jon Reed said the school had been expecting to be marked as satisfactory (grade three) overall.

"We are delighted with the result," he said.

"We knew the school had improved, but we were led to believe that you couldn't make such huge jumps as far as Ofsted reports go, so to actually go up two levels was a real surprise."

The 35-year-old added: "It means a lot to the families that have gone through a lot of upheaval.