The new head of a school which is in special measures says things are already improving, just two weeks into term.

Earlier this year we reported how Kent County Council had brought in Lilac Sky Schools (LSS) to work with Richmond Primary in Sheerness.

The company aims to turn around the fortunes of schools which are struggling and it appointed Annie Donaldson as the principal.

Ms Donaldson works for LSS and her last job was as deputy head at Wendover House School in Buckinghamshire, which she says she helped pull out of special measures in record time.

Richmond Primary was placed into special measures in November last year after a damning Ofsted report.

LSS is working with the school on a three-year contract.

Ms Donaldson said her main aim is for there to be aspirational teaching and learning going on and for children to always know what the next step is for them, whatever their ability.

She said: "I have had an absolutely fantastically warm welcome with people at the school and people beyond on the Island.

"People that have come in to see me and all sorts of outside agencies have been really welcoming and complimentary. The children are happily settled in and we are reaching and exceeding our attendance target, which is 95% plus, so I’m really happy about that."

The school is now fully staffed, she said, and meetings have been taking place between her and parents to discuss what is going to happen with LSS at the helm.

"It’s really important to have good relationships with parents," said Ms Donaldson.

"I really want the children to have fun – they said they haven’t had any music in school for a long time so we have had some in assemblies and they have absolutely loved it, which is an example of having fun things which compliment learning."

Trevor Averre-Beeson is the firm’s director of education and will be overseeing the project for the duration.

He said he and his team could not be more pleased with how things are going so far.

He said: "It doesn’t really feel like a school that’s in special measures."