AN 'unrelenting focus' on improvement has led to Tavistock College being removed from special measures, following an inspection by education standards watchdog Ofsted.

The team of inspectors, led by Peter Sanderson, say the college has made significant progress under its new leadership team and is set to get even better in the future.

Mr Sanderson said: 'The principal has driven improvement through an unrelenting focus on improving teaching and promoting the importance of success for all students.'

The college was placed under special measures two years ago. Principal Helen Salmon, who took up the post last year, pledged the college would be removed from special measures by Christmas 2011.

The Ofsted report recognises the great strides the college has made and emphasises how the senior management team, under the 'clear and effective leadership' of the principal, has worked with the governing body to drive improvement.

The inspectors recognised the improving standards in many aspects of the college's work and commended the recent swift rise in the GCSE results.

'The two-year decline in attainment at the end of Year 11 was reversed this summer,' said Mr Sanderson.

'The percentage of students gaining five or more A*-C grades, including English and maths, rose by 16 percentage points.

'The majority of teaching is good, and some is outstanding, especially where teachers actively engage students in learning,' he said — although he found that good practice was not consistent across the school.

Behaviour has shown a marked improvement and the college now has a caring, welcoming ethos: 'Leadership and management at all levels in the college is now good and robust action has been taken to improve teaching.'

The inspectors said that all aspects of the college's sixth form were good, including overall effectiveness, outcomes for students, quality of provision and leadership and management.

The expert and very focused teaching at sixth form level was singled out for particular praise.

'Good quality teaching enables students to develop as effective learners and make good progress in the subjects they follow,' said Mr Sanderson.

'Teachers have good subject knowledge and plan lessons well. Lessons are characterised by good relationships between teachers and students.'

Throughout the school, care, guidance and support were good, said Mr Sanderson, as was students' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.

Governors have played a key role in the college's improvement, said Mr Sanderson.

'Members of the governing body have a clear determination to ensure that all students achieve their full potential.

'They have established a settled and effective senior leadership team to which they now provide a good level of support and challenge.

'They are well aware of the college's strengths and areas in need of improvement.'

The report recommended that teaching should improve further by making sure all lessons provided engaging and challenging activities, and by providing consistently good written feedback to students. Variation in students' achievement between subjects should be improved by better evaluation of tracking and monitoring information.

Mrs Salmon said she was delighted with the report: 'I was particularly pleased with some of the judgements — about children's safety and behaviour, the leadership and management and that they recognised the improvement in exam results.

'There is still work to do, but it takes time. You are not going to become outstanding in a year, but having said that, I am hoping to get to that point in the next two. I do expect to carry on improving and I do want outstanding judgements — I think it's what this community deserves.

'It took over four years at my last school, but I think it will be quicker here. The children are bright, the community is fantastic and supportive, we are building exciting new partnerships and we are now in a good position to go on to the next stage.'

Mrs Salmon said she wanted to pay particular tribute to chair of governors, Mandy Ewings (formerly Govier).

Mrs Salmon said: 'She has effectively led the governing body to this successful outcome and her loyalty and commitment have really helped the college through a very challenging time.

'Mandy is now stepping down from the role but she can do so with her head held high. We are now in a really positive place and we can move forward.

'I am also very proud of our staff who have worked so hard to get the college back on track and to offer more opportunities for our students.

'We now have the platform to ensure that Tavistock College becomes one of the best performing schools in Devon.'

Tavistock's newly elected chair of governors, former student of the college Alison Malcolm, said: 'I am delighted to be given the opportunity to lead the governing body as Tavistock College continues its journey towards our ultimate goal of an 'outstanding' judgement.

'With the continued efforts of our principal, a strong staff, and a committed governing body, I am confident this can be achieved.'