Governors at axe-threatened Chapel Hill County School in Braintree today (Friday) said they are looking forward to a positive future after receiving an encouraging report.

But education chiefs warned there is still a long way to go to bring the troubled school up to standard.

The school was placed on special measures by Essex County Council in January after two damning Ofsted reports, and closure loomed because education chiefs believed progress was too slow.

This sparked fierce protest among parents, politicians and councillors, who demanded that the school, which is attended by more than 100 pupils, be kept open and allowed time to improve.

The school has this term received an encouraging inspection from Her Majesty's Inspectorate (HMI), and chairman of governors Dave Rogers said prognosis is good.

He said: "We have just gone through an HMI visit and they believe progress has been made. We have meetings with the LEA which are now constructive and helpful. Everybody is working together, all pulling in the same direction."

A new headteacher, Gina Arymar from Monkwick Junior School in Colchester, will be taking over from acting head Alan Shea in September.

A full quota of permanent staff is now in position, and outstanding issues such as discipline and the quality of education have been tightened up.

County council education spokesman Mike Barnett said: "It has been a very encouraging term.

"The school has made progress according to HMI inspectors, and behaviour problems have been improved considerably. The authority would like to thank the acting headmaster Alan Shea. He has done a particularly good job in holding the school together at a difficult time.

"But the school has a long way to go. It will take several terms before it can be taken out of special measures."

Mr Rogers said: "It's still hard work - we know we have a lot to do. But we are all now very confident we will go on improving."

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