Halesowen and Rowley Regis MP James Morris has visited Timbertree Primary School to learn how they have turned the school around.

Mr Morris met with Headteacher Hayley Walker and Janine Sargent before being taken for a tour of lessons at the school.

Timbertree had been deemed to be failing by Ofsted inspectors in 2010 and was placed into “special measures”, with regular inspections to judge the school’s progress.

The school moved into a confederation with the neighbouring Corngreaves Primary School in autumn 2010, which saw a new senior staff team being appointed to Timbertree, including Executive Head Tracey Ruddle and new Headteacher Hayley Walker.

The first full inspection in autumn 2011 found that the school had moved straight from “inadequate” to “good”, the second highest mark available – making Timbertree one of the 5% of schools who move straight from the lowest grade to “good”.

Speaking after the visit, Mr Morris said: “Everybody involved in turning Timbertree around should be extremely proud of their achievement, which shows just how big a difference strong and effective leadership can make to a school.

“Miss Ruddle and Mrs Walker have led by example and developed a culture where very high standards are expected of staff and pupils alike, and the whole school has responded fantastically well.

“Going round the school with Mrs Walker, I was immediately struck by the positive atmosphere in the school and the enthusiasm in the classrooms from teachers and children.”