BICESTER Community College is moving in the right direction according to Ofsted, and its leadership team hopes the school will be out of special measures soon.

Ofsted inspectors who paid a third visit to the school last month praised the quality of teaching saying it was “inspirational” across six subjects, including English and maths.

The report also said relationships between staff and pupils were positive and students told inspectors they were now “proud” to say they attended the school.

Interim headteacher Tony Rushworth and chairman of the interim executive board Bob Wintringham say the school is now a completely different place.

Mr Wintringham, also chairman of the governors at Faringdon Academy, said: “It is the most positive report in the sense that every area they looked at in the school has shown huge levels of improvement, which is great for Tony and great for staff.

“In every single area, the students’, staff, leadership and parents’ view is positive about the things we are doing and the progress we are making, and that’s superb.

“We have still got a lot of work to do and have still got to keep the pressure on, but it’s a different place. It’s a can-do place. We are in the right place to move forward.”

Mr Wintringham pointed out the same teachers criticised by Ofsted last December when the school went into special measures, were the same people inspectors rated “inspirational”.

Mr Rushworth, who was appointed interim head in July, said: “It’s a phenomenal effort. The turn around in school is absolutely amazing.

“Although the school is in special measures, when you read the report we are well on the way to being a good school and there is every indication we are going to achieve that in a short space of time.”

Among the changes are initiatives to support year 11 pupils in the run up to GCSE exams, including a voluntary Saturday school attended by 63 pupils. The school is also working more closely with its feeder primary schools and Cooper School’s sixth form.