A SCHOOL once branded as failing has turned itself around.

Gillbrook College, in Normanby Road, South Bank, is looking forward to a brighter future after Government inspectors took it out of special measures last month.

The secondary school was deemed to be failing in July 2005, but after an Ofsted review in April, inspectors said they believed the school was performing at a satisfactory level.

The report states: "Gillbrook College has improved significantly since its previous inspection and is now satisfactory overall. There are still aspects which are not as good as they could be, but the college is on the right track and is continuing to improve.

"This is because senior leaders have a clear focus on improvement and a determination to ensure that students have the best possible opportunities to succeed.

"At the time of the previous inspection, students underachieved. Students start the college with below average standards, especially in literacy.

"However, they now make satisfactory progress during their time at the college and achieve as well as students in similar schools.

"Students with learning difficulties and/or disabilities make satisfactory progress, and achieve in line with their peers."

Headteacher John Anthony said: "Students, staff and Governors of Gillbrook College were thrilled and excited by the result of the recent inspection, which confirmed that the school no longer requires special measures.

"The inspection allows us to accelerate the implementation of our plans to introduce our sixth-form and regain specialist schools status, while always ensuring that students achieve excellent personal goals through excellent learning opportunities.

"We were particularly pleased that the report identified that students are proud of their college and enjoy coming to college.

"We recognise that we need to continue our improvement by raising achievement still further, improving attendance and by helping students take more responsibility for their own learning through good teaching.

"We have already accepted further challenges to ensure continued improvement and to achieve the excellent personal goals that our students deserve."

Mr Anthony added: "I know that all in our community will want to join with us in celebrating this report and support us in moving forward to continued success."