SOUTHEND’S councillor responsible for children has given her backing to a failing school - Cecil Jones - joining with an academy trust.

The Cecil Jones College became the Cecil Jones Academy this year, in a bid to get the secondary out of special measures.

It has been sponsored by the Legra Trust, which also runs Belfairs Academy.

Labour’s Anne Jones has said the move should boost attainment at Cecil Jones, both in the long and short term.

Answering a question at a council meeting, Mrs Jones said: "Cecil Jones is sponsored by Legra Trust. Legra have shown that they have improved outcomes at Belfairs by having very clear expectations that they shared with students about standards of behaviour at school.

"Legra also have very clear expectations regarding the high quality of teaching and learning that they expect their teachers to deliver to students in lessons.

"Legra have sponsored Cecil Jones Academy - they have a very clear behaviour policy and expect students to conduct themselves accordingly. Behaviour and attendance are closely linked to a student’s academic success. It is in the interests of all pupils that behaviour in classes and around the school is of a high standard. A zero tolerance policy sends a clear message to pupils that poor behaviour is not acceptable. I have no doubt that this will contribute to improved standards of attainment both in the short term and long term at Cecil Jones Academy."

Speaking of the move onto one site at  Cecil Jones, Mrs Jones added: "Leadership and management of the Cecil Jones Academy has improved following the move of pupils onto one site. It is easier for leaders to monitor the quality of teaching, learning and behaviour and to ensure that high expectations for all pupils are consistently applied. It is also more time efficient as there is less teaching time lost with teachers walking from one site to the other during the school day."