A PERMANENT head teacher has been appointed in a bid to turn around fortunes at St John’s Primary School in Wellington.

Gareth Jones, who has been acting head teacher since September, is tasked with moving forward from the last OFSTED report, which deemed that the school ‘requires improvement’.

Hollie Cashmore, chair of governors, said Mr Jones has already had a positive impact on the school during a fast-moving period of change.

She added: “We are delighted Mr Jones has accepted this position permanently as we have been incredibly impressed with his commitment and enthusiasm since taking on the acting head teacher role.

“The hard work by Mr Jones and all the staff at St John’s was acknowledged by OFSTED.

“The ‘requires Improvement’ judgement was a fair reflection of the work that still needs to be done but it also recognised the achievements already made.

“We are confident we are moving in the right direction and are very excited about the future under this leadership.”

Since the visit in December, OFSTED has carried out a monitoring inspection and found the school is making progress.

Inspectors noted that teachers are “now setting work at the right level to challenge pupils” and that Mr Jones is taking steps to make “good teaching” more consistent.

Mr Jones, former deputy head at Lyngford Park Primary School in Taunton, said: “I am delighted and excited to be given the opportunity to lead St John’s through the next phase of its development and work with all members of the school community to raise standards and increase school effectiveness.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for all their hard work, help and support since I arrived in September.

“I have one simple aspiration - to work with others to make the school one which pupils, parents, governors and the community are deeply proud of.”