A PRIMARY school has transformed from being in special measures to reaching a good grading in just 18 months.

The former ailing Whitehawk Primary School was given the lowest possible rating by Ofsted in 2011, and two years later received a facelift designed to create improvements.

It was re-named City Academy Whitehawk and was sponsored by City College Brighton and Hove. Under the new regime, it has now garnered praise from inspectors.

The new report, which graded the school as good across the board, said: “This is a good school. The school looks after its pupils well.

“As a result, they feel safe and secure. Pupils benefit from a broad curriculum, including a variety of visits and out-of-school activities.

“Parents comment very favourably on the new school’s improvement since it opened.”

Head teacher David Williams said: “From the outset, our vision for pupils was to create an ambition to be great by choice.

“Due to the incredible commitment of all our staff and the efforts and support of children, their families and the whole community, we have achieved this.

“I’m hugely proud of the culture we’ve created at the academy.”

Mr Williams also acknowledged the significance of the partnership with City College as crucial to the school’s success, with a new uniform introduced and refurbished buildings.

The Fonthill Foundation has also supported the children in the school by providing iPads for every teacher and teaching assistant after being linked up thanks to The Argus.

The leader of Brighton and Hove City Council, councillor Warren Morgan, has also welcomed the improvements.

The former governor at the school said: “This is a magnificent effort from a school that has had a difficult time in recent years.

“Head teacher David Williams and his team deserve the highest possible praise for all the hard work they’ve put into achieving this.

“I’d also like to pay tribute to City College for all the work they have put in as sponsor of the academy to make this happen.

“Whitehawk is one of the city’s most disadvantaged areas and this success is a reminder that economic disadvantage should not be seen as a barrier to academic success.”