A headteacher in charge of a school found to have serious weaknesses in its last inspection is celebrating after pupils achieved a bumper crop of exam results.

Mike Blant, headteacher of Winter Gardens Junior School on Canvey, vowed to turn around the failing school after the report by education watchdog Ofsted published in January.

Staff and pupils have been working hard to try to bring the Hilton Road school back up to scratch and were yesterday (Tuesday) delighted after increasing their standard attainment tests (SATS) results by more than 20 per cent.

The results in maths, English and science were all up on last year's figures, following the tests in May.

Maths grades saw a leap from 42 per cent to 64 per cent, English from 54 per cent to 77 per cent and science from 74 per cent to 79 per cent.

The tests are taken by the 11-year-olds all over the country as a way of measuring their performance in each area.

Mr Blant, said: "There is a vast improvement in this year's results. Staff and pupils have been working very hard to raise attainment by keeping a sharp focus on national curriculum levels.

"Children now have a much better idea of the levels in which they work and what it is they need to do to cross over the thresholds to the next level."

A series of booster classes, funded by the government have taken place at the school to try to raise standards.

Mr Blant added: "Staff and governors are thrilled with these results which were beyond predictions.

"It is a real morale booster for the whole school which continues to go from strength to strength following the Ofsted report when the school was deemed to be in the category of serious weaknesses.

"At that time inspectors told governors that they were certain the school would have moved forward sufficiently nine to 12 months down the line. Everything was in place for necessary improvements to be made."

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