THE HEAD of Wyedean School told parents he is confident the academy will be out of "special measures" in 18 months.

Around 160 parents and 40 members of staff attended a special meeting last week to hear Mr Pemberton's assessment of why the independent schools standards body Ofsted had placed the school in special measures and what he plans to do to get the school back on track.

Special measures means the school will be under greater Ofsted scrutiny over the next year to secure improvements.

Wyedean slipped into special measures because of a poor set of exam results in 2012 and while they got better this year, the improvement was not enough for inspectors who are now focused on "outcomes."

Mr Pemberton said this year's results were the same as 2007 when Ofsted judged the school good with outstanding features – a grading that was repeated in 2010 when Wyedean had its worst results ever.

The school will receive help from a "national leader" in education from Cheltenham, a Gloucester grammar school and a Stroud school that is now judged good but was in special measures.

Mr Pemberton said: "I am confident Wyedean will have been removed from special measures in 18 months.

"Staff are up for the fight – there are 40 members of staff in this room and that is a sign of commitment.

"It is not going to be easy for them. They will be observed more than they have been in their professional lives."

Mr Pemberton said a summary of the school's action plan would be made available to parents.

He also promised action on homework to reassure parents that sufficient and appropriate work was being set.

One parent claimed Mr Pemberton's assessment showed "complacency" but beyond that there was little negativity from parents.

Parents were also addressed by sixth formers Kelsey Greening and Dan Stokes who mounted a passionate defence of the education they had received at the school.

Dan said: "Although grades are important I don't think the (Ofsted) report is a true reflection of the school."

Kelsey added: "We should not be here – this is not a special measures school.

"I'm really happy here and the staff are always there for you."