PARENTS at the troubled Totland Community Primary School have thrown their weight behind plans to improve teaching standards following a recent Ofsted report which has put the school on special measures.

At a meeting held at the school this week, parents gave unanimous support to an improvement plan which aims to boost standards at the school.

A special team from the Isle of Wight Council's education authority began running the school this week following the Ofsted report which identified "serious weaknesses" in its performance.

There were also problems identified with the standards pupils achieve.

At a private meeting on Tuesday, December 3, open discussions were held between local

education authority officers, parents, staff and former members of the governing body.

Rumours that the school was facing immediate closure were also dismissed at the meeting which was attended by virtually all parents.

Parents were told that a detailed action plan for improvement would be in place by January next year.

It was also agreed that a similar meeting would be held each term to keep parents informed of progress and to seek their views on the school.

Keith Simmonds, senior inspector of the local education authority and chairman of the meeting said: "It was very pleasing to see the high level of support and commitment to improvement from the parents who were present at the meeting.

"While many raised legitimate concerns about the inspection report's findings, almost all gave support to the actions for the school's rapid improvement."

He added: "Many parents spoke positively of development since the first report, as with improvement in the pupil's attitude to learning and the school's partnership with parents. Most parents indicated that their children were happy in the school. If this very high level of parental support and involvement with the school is maintained, it is the first step to a brighter future."

Speaking after Tuesday's meeting, Sarah Malpas, treasurer for the school's Parent Teacher Association, said: "I think it was a very positive meeting. All the parents were very supportive and felt we got the answers we were looking for.

"We feel we can move forward and hopefully get a positive result at the end of the day. The commitment is there from all the parents and they are willing to do all they can."