A FAILING school has turned itself around completely in less than a year.

Gillbrook School, in Eston, near Middlesbrough, received an excellent rating from Her Majesty's Inspectors (HMI) of Schools, despite being branded as failing in July last year.

The monitoring inspection took place earlier this month, and was the third time in a row the school has received the highest grading available since being placed in special measures last year.

In a report published this week, the HMI said: "Improvements since the last inspection are testimony to the college's efforts to raise its standards."

The report represents a dramatic turnaround for the school, which Ofsted inspectors had previously graded as failing. It could have faced closure if improvements had not been made.

The report also highlighted "substantial improvements in leadership and management, effective teamwork, good relationships, improved knowledge, expertise and greater accountability."

Headteacher Russ Wallace has paid tribute to the school's staff, students, parents and the local community for "making such a difference to the education of students at Gillbrook".

Changes are continuing into the next term, with a new headteacher and deputy headteacher joining the staff in September.

The school is also entering a new phase in its development, with staff and students moving into a building at the Normanby Road site in November.

In September, Gilbrook is returning to a more traditional school day, with lessons starting at 8.45am and finishing at 3.15pm, with a 50-minute break for lunch.

Previously, the school had followed a continental-style day with school starting earlier in the morning and finishing at 2.05pm.

Mr Wallace said: "There will still be plenty of opportunities for extra-curricular activities.

"New session times will maximise learning opportunities and support the personal and social development of every student."

The move brings the school back in line with other schools in the area and came about after consultation with neighbouring schools and local community as well as staff, students and parents.

The overall response to consultation was firmly in favour of the switch back to the conventional school day.