A once struggling primary school in Hanworth has converted to become a church school in a bid to improve its performance.
St Richard's Church of England Primary School, formerly known as Forge Lane Primary, was officially opened yesterday (Tuesday, January 6).
Forge Lane Primary, in Forge Lane, had been rated in 2012 by Ofsted inspectors as 'requires improvement'. Although a follow-up visit in 2013 suggested progress was being made, the school felt the switch from community to voluntary aided status would aid its push to be recognised by Ofsted as a 'good' or 'outstanding' school.
The school was opened under its new name yesterday by Bishop of Kensington the Right Reverend Paul Williams, who blessed the site. Pupils and staff held ribbons during the opening ceremony to symbolise the new school's motto 'inspiring belief in God and in one another'.
Hounslow Council's education chief, Councillor Tom Bruce, agreed last year to close Forge Lane Primary School and open a new school on the site following a public consultation in which 68 per cent of respondents supported the move and only 11 per cent said they were opposed.
The school's governors and headteacher had argued there was a need for a CofE school in the west of the borough. They said parents whose children attended the oversubscribed play group next door at St Richard's Church wanted them to be able to continue their education at a church school.
The previous admissions policy remains in place and all children attending Forge Lane Primary before it closed were guaranteed a place at the new school.
Headteacher Dionne Hurst said the school's vision was to 'raise standards for the children living in the local community, with a Christian ethos'.
As a community school, Forge Lane Primary School was owned by Hounslow Council, which employed staff, owned the land and buildings, and set the entrance criteria.
The new school's voluntary aided status means the governing body is now responsible for employing staff and setting the entrance criteria. Ownership of the buildings and land has also been transferred to the Diocese of London. Its catchment area is now that of the parish of St Richard's Church.
