A SWINDON school which has been stuck in special measures for years is celebrating a Good Ofsted report.

St Luke's Academy in Penhill had its latest inspection near the end of the last school year - and the results have just been published.

The school's staff are delighted to have bounced back by achieving a Good rating in every category after previously being ranked as Inadequate.

This transformation, which took place under the new leadership of Principal Judith Buckingham and her team, especially impressed inspectors who also considered the exceptional challenges faced by staff during the pandemic.

The report said: “Senior leaders have established a new and strong vision for St Luke’s school.

"The trust, school leaders and staff all share its values. These have brought about a transformation of the school in a short period of time.

“Staff say how much they ‘love’ the school and how well leaders support them.

"There is a strong sense of community centred on the learning and well-being of the pupils.”

 “Pupils enjoy attending the school... they say that it has become calmer and quieter, and this is helping them to learn more.”

Principal Judith Buckingham has been in the role for two years.

She said: “I am extremely proud of the staff who have worked so hard to move the school out of a long time designated as Special Measures to Good in the short space of two years.”

“The students at the school should take pride in their achievements and I am very grateful for the support of parents and carers who work so well with us.

“I am absolutely delighted that the hard work of the staff at St Luke’s has been acknowledged and the school has now been judged to be a GOOD school.

“We continue to be a highly committed staff who are determined to continue to drive standards at the school even higher.”

The Cricklade Road education facility used to be known as St Luke's School and was placed into special measures in 2016.

The school was ordered to urgently improve the effectiveness of its leadership and safeguarding, as well as ensure that its curriculum is fit for purpose so that all pupils can achieve well.

It closed in 2018 and later reopened as an academy.

The school teaches pupils aged 11 to 16 and is managed by the White Horse Federation.