Longcroft School making good progress

A Beverley secondary school has been deemed to be making good progress by education watchdog Ofsted.
Longcroft School was given a notice to improve back in April last year, after concerns were made about the quality of teaching and pupil's development in literacy and numeracy.
Following a visit in December, Her Majesty's Inspector Jan Bennett found the school has made good progress in all areas.
Headteacher Ian O'Donnell, is delighted with the results, after just two terms of hard work by staff and students.
He said: "I am delighted by the outcome of the monitoring visit. The staff and students have been working really hard to improve the quality of teaching and learning at Longcroft and this has been reflected in the report provided by HMI Bennett. We have had great support from our parents and the local authority too, and I would wish to extend my thanks to them."
In the new Ofsted report published today (Thursday), the Inspector praised the school's improved examination results in the summer, saying: "Achievement is improving well in all year groups. The proportion of Year 11 students achieving five A* to C grades at GCSE, including English and mathematics, rose by six percentage points in 2012. The improvement in mathematics was particularly marked, with an increase of 11% on the proportion of students obtaining A* to C passes."
The Inspector also recognised the school's effective strategies to improve teaching in the school in just two terms. She said: "Teaching is improving rapidly and making a major contribution to raising achievement. The proportion of good or better teaching has increased markedly over the last year."
There was also praise for headteacher Mr O'Donnell, who the inspector said had made "a decisive difference to the school" and has an "ambitious but achievable vision for the school".
Alison Michalska the director of children, family and adult services at East Riding Council, said: " We are proud of what Mr. O'Donnell has achieved since becoming headteacher with the full backing of all the staff and governors. He has made a real difference to the school in a short time and I know children and their families appreciate this new improved approach. We are pleased that the Local Authority was judged by the Inspector to have provided 'very good' support for the school during this challenging period."