A SERVICE to support students who struggle in mainstream schools has won praise from education watchdogs.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's Education Other Than at School (EOTAS) provision has been lauded in a report from Ofsted - only a matter of months after it was deemed to be failing.

The Eston-based service, which specialises in teaching young people aged 11 to 16, was given a notice to improve only seven months ago.

But, inspector Dr Andrew Johnson delivered a positive verdict on its efforts to recover following a recent monitoring visit, rating the service as making satisfactory and often good progress. The report also hailed the service's new senior leadership team, overseen by executive headteacher Steve O'Gara and a management committee, for making the strides forward.

It said: "The new executive headteacher has had a very significant impact on improving the morale of staff."

Improved partnerships with the council and admission arrangements with local schools were also singled out for praise.

Chairwoman of the management committee Debbie Clinton said: "It is really good to see just howmuch progress we have made. The leadership team, the staffand the students should be thoroughly proud of all they have achieved. I am certain we can look forward to even better news in our next inspection."