ADJUSTING to a new way is not easy for some, but a headteacher is trailing the way for a Cheltenham school.
Nikki Hill, headteacher of Greatfield Park Primary School, is celebrating her first year as head of the Up Hatherley school this week with a positive Ofsted performance.
Inspectors published their report on the 204-pupil strong school this week, rating it as good.
Despite the rating staying the same as the previous one, Ms Hill said new strict regulations by the Government meant the school had actually improved since the last rating.
She said: "The teachers, pupils and parents have been absolutely tremendous.
"It can be daunting when a new headteacher comes to the school, but they have welcomed me with open arms.
"They have caught the vision quite early on and we have worked together to make sure that it happens.
"It has absolutely been an improvement, without doubt, especially with the new regulations."
Inspectors visited the Hulbert Crescent school on March 13 and 14 to observe teaching.
They praised the pupils for making good progress in reading, and said it was "because this area has been given great emphasis".
The report also added the pupils' writing skills developed rapidly.
Ms Hill said: "It has been a keen focus since I joined the school last year, and reading and writing are very important skills for the children.
"The teachers work hard to keep them interested, and to make the classes more personal to the pupils.
"They have come together and are working with the children, and supporting those who might have some difficulties."
The school was not yet an outstanding school because teachers' feedback in marking did not consistently give enough guidance so that pupils would know how to improve their work, according to the report.
It also said the teachers needed to engage the pupils fully.
"The teachers here work extremely hard and embraced the new changes to drive improvements forward," Ms Hill said.
"There are definitely some things we can improve on, and we will be looking to work on them.
"We have already made significant improvements and the benefits can be seen now.
"I'm not overly concerned about teachers, and some of it might have been down to nerves on the day itself."
One thing the school has done well in is improving its relationship with parents.
Ms Hill said: "The relationship between pupil, teacher and parents is very important to make sure the children are able to fulfil their potential."
