THE headteacher of a secondary school which has been told it needs to improve has spoken of her determination to bring about the changes needed.

Hassenbrook Academy, in Stanford-le-Hope, has been found to “require improvement”

by Ofsted inspectors who visited just before Christmas.

Michelle Bamber, who took up her role in September, said plans are already in place to secure the necessary improvements.

The school’s inspection came just 18 months after its last one in June 2012, when under the old Ofsted framework the school was judged to be “satisfactory”.

During their visit in December, inspectors found: ! Some teaching requires improvement – or is inadequate ! The quality of marking varies across subjects and students are not consistently shown how to reach the next steps and often do not make corrections pointed out by teachers ! Although now rising, attendance is still slightly below the national average.

The report also stated “the new headteacher has acted swiftly to improve achievement and teaching, but has not yet had time to fully implement all her initiatives”

and “governors are supportive and knowledgeable, but recognise there is still work to be done”.

Mrs Bamber said: “Whilst we are disappointed we have not achieved a “good” grade, the important point that should be highlighted is Ofsted is confident the school has good capacity to improve.

“We have already taken steps to improve, through staff changes, added rigour in monitoring and accountability for making sure pupils and staff alike believe they can achieve the highest levels and to not be satisfied with a C grade.”

More than 600 pupils attend Hassenbrook, which became an academy in February 2012.

It is one of just two schools in Thurrock that is not graded good or outstanding.

However, most schools in the borough are yet to be inspected by Ofsted under the new “tougher” criteria, which was introduced in 2012.

Mrs Bamber added: “We are not going to waste time sulking about our grade or disputing where we have been judged.

“Of course we would have liked to have been graded “good”. We weren’t, but we will be really soon.

“Once we achieve that, we can take our next steps towards being outstanding.

“After all, that’s what I want for our pupils – to provide them with an outstanding education.”