IT IS a double celebration for a Burnham school which has been given a glowing endorsement by Government inspectors and is about to undergo a £10.7m revamp.
On Monday, planners rubberstamped a major project which will touch almost every area of the Ormiston Rivers Academy in Burnham.
Builders move onto the site of the school, formerly known as St Peter's, in November to construct a new performing arts block, multi-use sports pitch, and undertake a remodelling of the school.
The revamp comes as principal Joan Costello was able to tell pupils when they returned for the new term that the school had now been graded as good all round by Ofsted.
She told the Chronicle: "We are all really chuffed with Ofsted's verdict – it is what we had hoped for and have worked towards.
"We are delighted that Ofsted highlighted the fact that the progress students are making is remarkable, and that more than 80 per cent of teaching is good or better – that is a very high percentage.
"We are also pleased with their comments on student's excellent behaviour, their attitudes to learning and the support parents have for the school."
Inspectors undertook a routine check-up in July and their report out on Monday shows they noted big improvements since their last visit in February 2011, when the school was graded as just satisfactory.
Mrs Costello joined St Peter's in April 2009. Six months later it was placed in special measures, a label which was removed in February 2011.
She said: "I inherited a school that had challenges, of which I was well aware, and it was my aim to ensure it became a good school. Now that dream has come true and our next step is to make it outstanding.
"Inspectors indicated that they felt we were on the way to achieving that but as a new academy it is too early to measure some of the initiatives we have put in place."
Now the school is preparing for the revamp, being paid for by cash provided when it became a sponsored academy in 2011
Mrs Costello said: "We have wonderful, extensive premises and fantastic grounds, and now they are to be totally refurbished to give the school, a bright, fresh look.
"We will have a brand new dedicated performing arts block, revamped sports facilities including an all-weather, multi-use pitch.
"New science labs will be built within the school, and a new learning resource centre which is a state of the art library.
"We are also able to buy racked seating for our main hall, which is a big boost not only for the school but also the community, who will be able to hire this facility."
The contractors move on to the site in November and the work is expected to be completed by January 2015.
