STAFF at Newent School and Sixth Form is celebrating the good news they're out of special measures.

Following an "unfavourable" Ofsted report last January, headteacher Kirsten Harrison was praised by a team of inspectors for all the work that had been undertaken and achieved to lift the school.

Mrs Harrison stepped into the shoes of her predecessor, Jane Steele, last April and was keen to tackle the main issues Ofsted inspectors highlighted for improvement, including inconsistent quality of marking and feedback, refocus its approach to improving teaching and learning and raise attainment among lower ability students.

For the 12 months the school has been supported by Chiquitta Henson who is a national leader of education and headteacher at Cirencester Deer Park School.

Kirsten Harrison thanked staff and students by saying: "Well done to you all. Thank you so much for all your hard work; for your care and love for the school. The commitment and resilience has had its just reward.

"The school would like to take this opportunity to thank parents for their continued support during this particularly challenging period and look forward to the partnership continuing over the coming months ahead.

"We have looked closely at every aspect of the school, from classroom teaching to the board of governors in order to improve every aspect of our operation.

"But we will never become complacent and will continue to work towards taking the school forward again in 2014."

An Ofsted report detailing the school's current rating will be released shortly.