A TROUBLED school put into special measures only two years ago has been rescued from “the quagmire of inadequacy,” according to inspectors.

Inspectors intervened in the running of Glendene Arts Academy, a special school in Easington Colliery, in summer 2014 after a catalogue of failings which left staff morale “shattered”.

Since then, the 181-pupil school has joined the Ascent Academies Trust and changes its name to Hope Wood Academy.

School leaders have now been praised in a fresh Ofsted inspection for their “uncompromising vision”, which has lifted Hope Wood out of its inadequate ranking, with key elements of the school now rated good.

All Year 11 leavers achieved qualifications in both English and maths and there were exceptional results in art.

The latest Ofsted report also ranked personal development, behaviour and welfare as good, while each of the other areas inspected – including quality of teaching, outcomes for pupils, early years provision and the 16-19 study programme – have improved.

Inspectors say the trust has not yet had enough time to implement its ambitious improvements plans.

But the report added: “Leaders’ uncompromising vision, that pupils will achieve their best, has been at the heart of the work.

“This vision is driving the rapid improvement seen across the gamut of the school’s work.

“Leaders have rescued the school from the quagmire of inadequacy and are moving it forward successfully.”

Headteacher of the 181 pupil academy Rachel Ireland said: “We are thrilled that the inspectors recognised our vision and how far we had already come in a relatively short space of time.

“This is just the start of the journey but with the help of our hardworking staff, our visionary trust leaders, our wonderful students and their families, there is only one direction of travel and that is upwards.”

Chief executive of the Ascent Academies Trust Paul Makin added: “We will continue to build upon our strengths, working right across the trust to identify the very best practices which will be developed by our new academy improvement leads in order to improve outcomes for children with complex needs.”