A SCHOOL that has struggled under special measures has officially become a White Horse Federation academy.

St Luke’s School has completed the lengthy conversion process from school to academy just in time for the start of a new school year.

It caters for the educational needs of pupils outside of mainstream education.

Since the school was placed in special measures in 2016, the WHF has managed and sponsored the school on Swindon Borough Council’s behalf.

The special school closed suddenly last September due to health and safety concerns relating to almost half of its staff leaving.

Now that St Luke’s is officially part of the White Horse Federation, it is hoped that things may finally improve.

Julian Morgan, director of secondary education at the White Horse Federation, said: “St Luke’s is a great school, and we are proud to be welcoming them into the federation.

“We are looking forward to working hard to improve the life chances of pupils, ensuring that the young people attending St Luke’s receive the support needed to fulfil their potential.”

Ofsted inspectors first placed the school in special measures in 2016.

They were still unimpressed when they returned in 2017, citing concerns about safeguarding, leadership, a narrow curriculum, and pupils’ increasing non-attendance. When a community school is placed in special measures, it is required by law to become an academy.

Earlier this year, Swindon Borough Council agreed to give £800,000 to the WHF, and handed over £245,000 immediately so that the trust could pay for vital improvements.

The other £555,00 will be given now that the multi-academy trust has formally taken the school into its academy chain.

The decision to give such a large sum to improve one school was criticised at the time, though councillors insisted that the school’s unique circumstances made such a sizeable cash injection necessary.St Luke’s is a special school whose students have social, emotional, and mental health needs.

The school works with a variety of partners and support services to provide students with the individual assistance they require.

Its move to the WHF was officially completed on September 1.