A school sixthform, branded as failing by Government inspectors, was today on the road to recovery following a glowing inspection report.
Cecil Jones High School sixthform, in Eastern Avenue, Southend, was the first school in the country to fall into a new "inadequate" category by education watchdog, Ofsted.
It is now the first to smash through tough targets to be praised for the quality of education provided.
A Southend Council spokesman said the weaknesses at Cecil Jones were first identified during a routine inspection report of the whole school in October, 2001. He added: "The overall inspection report on the school was very positive, but the school was judged to have an inadequate sixthform.
"Key issues requiring action included improving strategic management, ensuring pupils were placed on suitable courses and improve standards in advanced maths and upper-sixth science courses."
A consultant was drafted in by Southend Council to turn around the sixthform and a programme of action was drawn up.
The spokesman added: "Monitoring visits by inspectors were conducted in February and May, 2002 and the visits concluded that the school was making good progress.
"A follow up visit in November concluded that the school no longer had an inadequate sixthform and removed it from the category.
"The report commends the quality of strategic management and the rigour of the school procedures for placing and supporting pupils on suitable courses."
Published Friday, February 7, 2003
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