A SOUTHEND school is on its way out of special measures after making improvements.

Just 12 months after being labelled “inadequate” in every area, Futures Community College in Southchurch Boulevard, is moving in the right direction according to its latest Ofsted inspection.

Ofsted inspector Asyia Kazmi found headteacher Stuart Reynolds and his team were working hard to turn the school around and were making “reasonable progress” towards getting out of special measures.

Mrs Kazmi said: “Since the last monitoring inspection, further details of the 2014 examinations have been published.

“These confirm the scale of the challenge facing school leaders.

Pupils in Futures Community College attained more than two grades below the national average per subject and their achievement was inadequate.

“Teachers clearly understand the urgency of improving standards.

Lessons in registration, lunchtimes and after school are all contributing to the catching up that is needed.”

The school was praised for improving teaching and giving pupils more challenging work.

Extra lessons for Year 11s are being carried out as the school drives up standards in English, maths and science and steps are being taken to tackle student absence and staffing difficulties.

Inspectors praised pupils’ behaviour and the calm environment in the school. Some 11 new teachers have joined the school since the summer, including a new assistant headteacher and new heads of department in maths, science and PE. An interim executive board replaced the governing body earlier in the year.

After-school study groups in maths and science have been set up and pupils support local charities in a bid to boost the school’s reputation.

In the wake of the improvements, Ofsted said the school can now hire newly qualified teachers, after a 12-month ban.

Mr Reynolds said: “The fact we can hire newly qualified teachers is a real vote of confidence saying the school is moving in the right direction.

“We are making progress in all sections and I’m delighted with the way we are going.

“We are feeling positive ahead of exams. We have a long way to go, but all the support is in place and Year 11 is working hard which will allow them to be successful.”

“We are working well towards our goal of getting out of special measures as soon as possible.”

SOUTHEND Council continues to support Futures as it moves out of special measures.

Anne Jones, councillor for children and learning, said: “This latest monitoring report is further evidence of the very positive improvements being made at Futures Community College, and we are pleased to see this progress being officially recognised.

“The report highlights the fact the students, particularly in Year 11, are making better progress.

“They are tackling more challenging topics, covering a greater volume of work, and standards are going up in all the core subjects.

“Pupils themselves are commenting on the improvements in teaching, and behaviour continues to improve too.

“However, we know there is work still to be done and the council remains committed to supporting the interim executive board and senior leaders at the school to continue the improvement journey at Futures.”

The council replaced the governors with an interim executive board last summer and is working with Futures to crackdown on student absences.