A SCHOOL which was failing has had a boost following its latest Ofsted inspection.

It has been a tumultuous time for staff and students at Whitworth Park School, in Spennymoor, after inspectors found the school to have "serious weaknesses" in 2016.

Poor exam results in 2016, the closure of the sixth form and staff redundancies added to concerns about student wellbeing and attainment.

However, after its latest inspection last month, the school's interim headteacher, David Stone, said everyone was pleased to see it heading in the right direction after an action plan was put in place.

In his report, Steve Shaw, Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills, said he visited on June 19 and scrutinised staff, pupils and governors and evaluated the school's improvement plans.

Mr Shaw reported how the senior leadership team had been restructured since Mr Stone took over the role as interim headteacher in January 2017, while the school is expected to become an academy under the Advance Learning Partnership trust.,in September.

He said: "You and other leaders have taken decisive action to begin addressing the fundamental weaknesses identified at the previous inspection.

"Principally, you have taken steps to improve the quality of teaching and learning. As a result of this, there are signs of improvement in the engagement of boys and pupils’ progress overall."

He added: "Staff at all levels are now held far more accountable for how well pupils are doing than was the case at the time of the previous inspection. You have taken action, for example, to improve the quality of subject leadership. You have invested in providing professional development through the local authority and Advance Learning Partnership trust to equip subject leaders better with stronger skills. Specifically, you have developed their understanding of how to improve the outcomes for disadvantaged pupils, high-attaining pupils and boys, and of the use of questions in lessons. You have also ensured that subject leaders are able to support and challenge the teachers in their teams on the progress pupils make."

Other areas of improvement included pupil attendance, which is now in line with the national average, and plans to help those students who fall behind.

However, Mr Shaw said further work still needed to be done to improve the attendance of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities, and disadvantaged pupils.

Writing to Mr Stone, he said: "You recognise that there is still much to be done, such as the further refining of plans, but positive first steps have been taken."

A statement released by the school following the report said: "Whitworth Park are sure their rapid improvement will continue when they join the Advance Learning Partnership multi academy trust on 1st September.

"The school would like to thank parents, staff, governors, students and all other stakeholders for their ongoing support this year and we look forward to celebrating some promising results with our youngsters in August."