IN 2006, Ofsted inspectors decided Windmill Primary was “inadequate” and handed it a notice to improve.

Within three years, the watchdog was praising its improvement, rating it “good” and heralding a bright future for the school. And when inspectors last visited in March, they concluded: “Teachers have high expectations of what pupils can achieve and the new leadership team are having an increasing influence on pupils’ achievement.”

The transformation coincided with the arrival of headteacher Lyn Knapp from Woodcote Primary School, north of Reading.

She said: “We have turned it round and moved on.

“A lot of the emphasis has been on teaching, learning, and changing the curriculum to be more innovative, exciting and creative.”

For three years the school engaged Creative Junction, a community interest company, to inject art, music and filmmaking into the curriculum, to encourage more children to enjoy learning.

Through this, pupils are currently working with Bucks New University students to design an outdoor story trail, creating five-foot-high book spines that will be unveiled in the October half-term. The whole project has also been filmed from start to finish.

Music also plays a big part in school life.

Over a quarter of the 400 pupils now play an instrument; 60 of them are in the school orchestra.

Two years ago, the choir performed in the Youth Proms at the Royal Albert Hall, and they are receiving more and more invitations to appear at civic events.

Mrs Knapp said: “So much research shows children who are encouraged to be creative get better academic results, and it does show in the results.

“The SATS results show a huge improvement. Two years ago, 20 per cent of pupils were getting Level 5.

“Last year, it was 53 per cent in maths and 43 per cent in English.

“Their behaviour is better because they enjoy learning and enjoy what they do.”

She added: “I want to continue to develop the school curriculum and also branch out into other areas.

“I want more community involvement. A lot of people out there would help us expand the curriculum even more if we tap into them.”

With no church link, Windmill is one of three Oxfordshire schools to be awarded a Values Education quality mark for promoting education while encouraging pupils to value themselves, others and the environment.

Last month, the school even appeared on leading atheist Prof Richard Dawkins’ More4 show Faith School Menace?, comparing the education on offer to that available in religious schools.

PENNY Dwyer has taught at Windmill Primary for 17 years, starting as a part-time conductor of the choir and orchestra.

A trained musician, who taught the subject at secondary schools before coming to Windmill, she is now a full-time Year Four class teacher, but also oversees the school’s immense musical output.

School musicians have appeared at Oxford’s Sheldonian Theatre, and the Royal Albert Hall in London. Last week, pupil buskers serenaded parents as they arrived at the school gates to raise money for the Pakistan earthquake appeal.

She said: “I see myself as a facilitator because I help the pupils achieve the best they can through performing together.

“Quite a lot of them carry on with the music into secondary school, and some of my former pupils now play in the Oxfordshire County Youth Orchestra.”

Mrs Dwyer added: “I let all the children join the orchestra. If the younger ones cannot play the piece, I just make the parts easier.”

She added: “The parents help run music in the school as well, and I have got very close links with the county music service.”

Headteacher Lyn Knapp said: “Music in the school has gone from strength to strength, and Penny spends a lot of time trying to make it inclusive.

“She writes the music especially for the orchestra, so six- and seven-year-olds can play alongside the older children.

“That makes the orchestra not just for the best players, but everyone who wants to play.

“It gives the pupils confidence and self-esteem.”