A SECONDARY school which was told to improve two years ago has now been graded as “good”.

The Hurst Community College, in Brimpton Road, Baughurst, was judged as “good” in all areas by Ofsted following an inspection on May 14.

A report, published on June 8, said: “Teaching and students’ achievement have improved well since the last inspection and are now good. Well-planned training and opportunities to share best practice ensure these improvements continue into the future.”

It added: “Teachers use a variety of effective approaches to make lessons interesting so that students enjoy their learning and want to do well.”

Inspectors said that students are “proud of their school” and “feel safe and well cared for”.

The education watchdog praised headteacher Malcolm Christian for his commitment to “ensuring that all students make the best possible progress in all aspects of their development”.

The Ofsted team found that students behave well and enjoy coming to school. The report noted that attendance at The Hurst, which has 940 pupils on its roll, has improved since the previous inspection, in 2013, and is now in line with the national average.

However, disadvantaged students do not attend as well.

Inspectors found that most teachers have high expectations of their students, however some teaching was found to not always use a range of effective methods.

The report said: “Students are very positive in their comments about lessons. They find them interesting and enjoy the homework they are regularly set.”

It added: “Achievement has improved since the previous inspection as the impact of changes made by senior leaders has become evident. The school’s information about current students’ progress and scrutiny of students’ books shows that progress is good and improving further.”

It noted the school’s GCSE results from last year, when 72 per cent of students gained five GCSEs including English and maths.

Mr Christian said: “I am thrilled that Ofsted saw so many positives at The Hurst and rightly recognised the hard work put in by staff and pupils to ensure we are graded as “good” in all categories of the inspection.”

Norman Godfrey, chair of governors, added: “I’d like to thank all of the college’s staff and governor colleagues who have worked, and continue to work, tirelessly to raise standards of excellence across the college.”

Newly appointed head girl Elise England said the report was “great news” for her school.

The 15-year-old added: “It feels like a reward for all the effort our teachers put in to give us a fantastic education and all the effort we put in to get the most out of it. I know the college won’t stop striving to be even better.”