The village community pulled together for a clean-up day at Guilden Morden Primary School at the weekend – a symbol of hope and change after the school was rated ‘inadequate’ by inspectors at the end of last year.

Royston Crow: Heidi Allen MP joined the trusty volunteers at Guilden Morden Primary School.Heidi Allen MP joined the trusty volunteers at Guilden Morden Primary School. (Image: Archant)

The rating had a profound impact on the families that sent their children to Guilden Morden, as well as the staff – some parents chose to take their children out of the school, and class numbers were reduced from four to three.

Acting headteacher Claire Worth joined the school in May, and introduced new teaching staff.

She organised the tidy up with chairman of the interim executive board Liz Gibson, which saw nearly half of all families at the school pitching in by painting fences, weeding, hedge trimming, power washing and giving the grounds a good face-lift.

A barbecue was held to reward the team for their hard work, and celebrate the school’s new beginning as a sponsored academy. The school is set to become an academy under DEMAT on September 1, with the support of South Cambs MP Heidi Allen – who joined the team on Saturday, and Tim Coulson, regional schools commissioner.

Claire said: “It has been a wonderful day, the community of Guilden Morden have really pulled together and have worked their socks off, we all feel positive about the future. We were in our lovely school grounds with the sun shining, and the sense of community was amazing.”

Commenting on the changes, Heidi said: “With a full quota of teachers and extra funds in place to support the school when it academises on September 1, the mood on Saturday was energised and brimming with community spirit.

“Parents, neighbours, pupils and teachers got stuck in with weeding, painting and burger munching to give the school a fresh lease of life. The staff and local community in Guilden Morden knew what an asset their primary school was and should be very proud of the dedication they have shown. “This school has a great future ahead of it and the sense of determination was clear for all to see.”