A TROUBLED secondary school is making its way out of special measures, Ofsted inspectors say.

Cecil Jones College in Southend was placed into special measures 12 months ago after it was found inadequate in every area.

Ofsted inspector John Daniell praised the school during his most recent visit for steadily improving.

He said: “The college is making reasonable progress towards the removal of special measures.”

Mr Daniell and his team found more students are expected to achieve five or more A* to C grades at GCSE including English and maths and said: “This increase is matched by a steady improvement in the quality of teaching over time, which inspectors saw when observing pupils’ learning in lessons.”

Pupils’ behaviour in many lessons was “exemplary” and the interim executive board which replaced the governors challenges the college and knows its strengths.

Achievement in English continues to improve, but progress in maths remains behind, particularly with pupils eligible for free school meals and with special educational needs. Despite the quality of teaching improving, inspectors found “too much teaching requires improvement, and some remains inadequate”.

As Year 11 pupils prepare to sit their exams, Ofsted found the latest improvements in maths are unlikely to make up for “the lack of good progress in previous years for all pupils”.

The report comes in the wake of further changes at the college in Eastern Avenue.

Southend Council drafted in Shoeburyness High School headteacher Mark Schofield on a temporary basis to turn things around.

He left over half-term with Belfairs Academy principle Bev Williams now executive headteacher at the college.

Cecil Jones plans to become an academy in September 2015, sponsored by Belfairs Academy.

Mr Schofield said: “I’m really pleased the school is continuing to make progress out of special measures.

It’s fantastic news for the young people and the staff at the college. They’re a brilliant group of pupils and they have great staff there.

“They have made remarkable progress, but everyone knows there is a long way to go.

“This gives the college the confidence to continue moving forward this summer.”

SOUTHEND Council continues to support Cecil Jones as it makes its way out of special measures.

Anne Jones, Southend’s councillor responsible for children and learning, said: “I am pleased with the outcome of the recent monitoring visit, and it is good to see the improvements being recognised by Ofsted and most importantly the positive impact this is having on pupils progress.

“It is clear from this latest inspection the quality of teaching is improving, as is the leadership from the new interim executive board.

“Behaviour and attendance are also getting better which is excellent.

“However, challenges still remain and the council will take on board all of the comments made in the report and continue to support the school and the board on its journey to improve academic outcomes and in its transition to academy status.

“I would like to acknowledge the hard work of Mark Schofield from Shoeburyness High School in driving the improvements identified in this monitoring report and moving forward we look forward to continuing our work with Belfairs.”