CHANGES are already underway at Tavistock College to make the school a flagship for the county, it was announced last week.

The comment, by Devon's senior education officer, came in the wake of the publication of a report by education watchdog Ofsted, which labelled the school 'inadequate', and placed it into special measures.

Inspectors found the school, given a notice to improve by Ofsted in December 2008, failed to give students an acceptable standard of education, and that its managers did not have the capacity to make the necessary improvements.

The college's principal, Colin Eves, left the school in February. Daryll Chapman, principal of Okehampton College who is acting as head for the remainder of the school year, last week pledged that the school would be out of special measures by Christmas 2011 — by which time much of its work should be rated as good by Ofsted.

Ofsted inspector Mary Massey said some progress had been made at the college since an interim inspection last July — a stable management team was now in place and the atmosphere at the school was calmer.

But teaching standards came in for criticism.

Ms Massey said: 'Although teaching is satisfactory overall, the quality remains variable — some is barely satisfactory or inadequate. It has not improved at a fast enough pace to accelerate students' progress and overcome the weaknesses in achievement.

'Its impact on achievement is fragile and insufficient to ensure students make maximum progress.'

Ms Massey said although the college's failings meant its governance was judged as inadequate, the governing body was hardworking and committed, rigorously monitoring the school's progress and 'persistently challenging the college's leadership'.

But while the school had started to remedy identified weaknesses, initiatives had yet to have an impact.

'The college's self-evaluation concentrated on finding excuses for slow progress in raising achievement, rather than identifying solutions that would accelerate improvement,' said Mrs Massey.

Ofsted inspectors will now visit Tavistock College every half term to monitor its support, and extensive support will be offered by the education authority.

Mr Chapman said an action plan covering the next five terms had been drawn up. Work had already started on improving target setting for individuals and monitoring of performance to ensure students reached their full potential.

He said: 'I think the general feeling is that the changes have not been made quickly enough. There is actually a lot of data already available, we now have to work to refine it.'

Mr Chapman is considering curriculum changes and the possibility of introducing more vocational courses.

'I am looking at the wider working of the college, trying to identify where there are barriers to learning, so we can eradicate them,' he said.

Mr Chapman said the enthusiasm of staff and their determination to improve their skills in teaching and management was 'absolutely superb'.

And he said he and the staff would be working 'very hard' to reassure students following the report, many of whom were 'aghast and upset' to hear they attended what was deemed a failing school.

Chairman of governors Mandy Govier said she wanted to reassure parents that Tavistock College was already on the road to improvement.

'We have nothing to hide — there are no excuses. I am confident we are all pulling in the right direction,' she said.

Judith Johnson, Devon's director of learning and schools, said: 'I would assure parents that everything is being done to support the school. Working together, we will ensure the necessary improvements are completed as soon as possible.'

And she backed Mr Chapman's pledge to lift the school out of special measures by December 2011.

'It's not only realistic, it's absolutely essential. We have always believed Tavistock College has the potential to be a flagship for the county and we are determined to make it so,' she said.