‘Amazing’ headteacher Juliette Jackson, behind turnaround at Our Lady Primary School

Published: 10 February 2011
by JOSIE HINTON

A PRIMARY school that was placed in “special measures” following a damning report from Ofsted inspectors has been turned around in just a year.

Our Lady Roman Catholic Primary School in Pratt Street, Camden Town, was deemed to be failing by Ofsted in November 2009 – but is now judged to have made “rapid improvement”.

Inspectors visiting the 170-pupil school at the end of last term praised executive headteacher Juliette Jackson and described “a satisfactory school on a trajectory of improvement towards becoming good in the very near future”.

Mrs Jackson, who is also headteacher at St Eugene de Mazenod in Kilburn, was appointed by Camden Council and the Diocese of London to steer the school alongside the existing head Karen Doherty following the “inadequate” Ofsted report.

Inspectors praised Mrs Jackson’s “clear exemplification of what constitutes good teaching” and her “refusal to accept low standards,” which they found had led to “satisfactory, often good, and occasionally outstanding” teaching.

Mrs Jackson, who will retain her role, said: “We implemented a targeted programme to improve children’s attainment and progress, ensure governance is of the highest quality and bring the school back to the standard that our community expects and our children deserve. 

“I am delighted that we have proven ourselves to Ofsted and shown that we can dramatically improve and give our children a really top-class education.”

The governing body was also overhauled following the 2009 inspection, with Margaret Harvey, who formerly headed the governors at St Patrick’s Primary School in Kentish Town, made chairwoman. The Town Hall did not reveal the school was undergoing a programme of changes until they had been made.

Ms Harvey said: “What an amazing improvement and what an amazing executive head Mrs Jackson has proven herself to be.

“Everyone in our school community, I am sure, would join me in thanking her and the staff for helping make this improvement a reality. Once again we can confidently offer our young people the education they deserve.”

St Eugene de Mazenod Catholic Primary, in Mazenod Avenue, is also celebrating after being named amongst the top 8 per cent of schools in the country under Mrs Jackson’s leadership.

The school, which was identified as a cause of concern by Camden Council in 2007, was roundly praised by inspectors, who found it provides “an outstanding education for its pupils”. 

Councillor Heather Johnson, the Town Hall’s cabinet member for Children, Schools and Families, said: “I am extremely pleased that the partnership between St Eugene de Mazenod and Our Lady’s has been mutually beneficial, pulling Our Lady’s out of special measures earlier than expected. I would like to thank everyone involved for this tremendous achievement.

“This is wonderful news not just for the staff but for the children themselves.”