TWO Oxfordshire primary schools have proved standards can be improved for pupils.

Less than four years ago Dashwood Primary School, in Banbury, was haemorrhaging pupils after a damning Ofsted report.

Now the school has been rated good with outstanding features.

Headteacher Vicki McLean was brought in to bring it back up to scratch in September 2008.

She said: “It is a massive turnaround and I think the report is a credit to our pupils and a lot of work by a very dedicated staff and very supportive parents.”

When inspectors visited the school in November 2007 they described it as inadequate, with big problems with pupils’ behaviour, and placed it in special measures.

But inspector June Woolhouse, who visited the school last month, painted quite a different picture. She said: “Its drive, determination and high expectations have resulted in an outstanding climate for learning.”

One Oxfordshire school, Cutteslowe Primary, has a notice to improve from Ofsted, while six are in special measures: John Henry Newman CofE Primary in Littlemore, SS Mary & John CofE Primary in East Oxford, Wheatley CofE Primary, Chalgrove Community Primary, Thameside Primary in Abingdon and Kingfisher Special School in Abingdon.

Meanwhile, Oxfordshire County Council’s Melinda Tilley pointed to praise for Hardwick Primary School just a year after it was strongly criticised by inspectors.

Ofsted said outcomes for pupils at the Ferriston school had “significantly improved” and would continue to.

Mrs Tilley, cabinet member for schools improvement, said progress was “nothing short of phenomenal and sets an example of what can be achieved with hard work and dedication”.

Hardwick headteacher Julie Hawkin said a focus on improving teaching was key, with assessment of lessons, coaching and teacher visits to other schools.

She said: “We have treated our children as individuals. That has made a big difference.”

Ofsted demanded “significant improvement” over “very low” attainment in reading, writing and maths, the quality of teaching and attendance in 2010.

The latest report said: “This school has been very successful in reversing a long history of underachievement.”