A PRIMARY school has been named one of the most improved in the country, less than a year after being placed on special measures.

Selborne Primary School in Conway Crescent, Greenford, was placed under 'special measures' indicating poor overall standards, in January 2000. But it had improved enough to be removed from the list by May last year, eight months ahead of schedule.

On Tuesday (Feb 5) Ofsted, the body that monitors each school in the country, praised Selborne, which has 340 primary and reception children, for its improvement.

Headteacher, John Moore, who joined the school in September 2000, said: "This recognition means a lot to my staff who have worked hard to improve every aspect of the school. We can hold our heads up high again, and though we know there is plenty more we can improve, we know what we have to do to achieve our aims."

He added: "I have taken a lot of pleasure from working with other people to get this school on its feet again. What it took was installing some basic good quality systems in place, teaching practices, how the staff are treated, a real 'back to basics' approach.

"When I arrived, staff turnover was quite high and morale was rock bottom. We've tried to alter that and with the help of various cash grants we've looked at improving the environment which is very important. The reception children's area has been refurbished and we have a very nice garden now."

Mr Moore stressed that the work is not finished. He said: "We have our immediate targets, we want to see more done with the environment and then look at improving teaching resources. There are more imaginative ways of teaching children than simply making them sit and write all the time. Then we'd like to look at developing the curriculum, more school trips and so on. The success obviously pleases me but the children deserve it."

The Ellen Wilkinson School for Girls in Queens Drive, Acton was also mentioned in the report as a successful secondary school.