A TROUBLED college has been told it is still improving – paving the way for it to form an academy.

Bishop’s Park College, in Jaywick, has passed its fourth consecutive Ofsted monitoring report since it was placed in special measures in October 2007.

If it is taken out of special measures in the summer, it is set to form an academy with Colbayns High School in September.

Inspector Rhona Seviour said standards have remained low but that progress has been made.

She said: “The college has experienced turbulence in its staffing, including recent difficulties in recruiting mathematics teachers.

“Students’ low standard of literacy and poor attendance continue to be major barriers to raising standards. Recent efforts to increase parents’ involvement are beginning to have an impact.”

She said there has been good improvement in the quality of teaching, management and in record keeping.

Mrs Seviour added that the college’s good progress is mainly due to “sharing expertise” with Colbayns High School and the local authority.

Nick Pavitt, executive headteacher, said: “We are well on track to be taken out of special measures this June at our fifth monitoring visit.”

Bishops Park College and Colbayns High have submitted plans to the Department of Children, Schools and Families to form an academy based at the two sites – in Pathfields Road and Jaywick Lane.

The plan for the academy, which would be sponsored by the Academies Enterprise Trust, has gone out to consultation, and governors are considering parents’ and students’ views.

Mr Pavitt said he believes the single academy will raise standards and bring new resources.

Parents might not learn until mid-to-late August whether the academy has been given the green light, he added.