WITH rocketing GCSE results and now an Ofsted report rating it as good, Chamberlayne College for the Arts can rightly claim to have shaken off its past.

Inspectors paid a glowing tribute to the hard work of staff, pupils and the community by saying they now all had the belief that the high standards they are now achieving were possible.

For successive years Chamberlayne has been rated as satisfactory but on their latest visit the school’s inspectorate Ofsted, rated all aspects as good with some outstanding elements – not least the leadership.

As previously reported by the Daily Echo Bitterne Park head teacher Susan Trigger was brought in as executive head last year with Ewan Scott appointed as Head of School.

Speaking of the report Mr Scott said: “Reputations are hard to change. That is particularly so in the world of education and this has been a real issue for us at Chamberlayne College for the Arts.

“For a long time Chamberlayne has had results that could be a lot better.

“It has perhaps not served its community and the students who attended it in the best way it could.

“I am immensely proud to say that we expect the very best from our community. For the last year and a half we have been transforming into a school that we can all be proud of.

“Last year saw a record rise in results, with 49 per cent of students achieving 5 A*-C with English and maths – the highest results ever for the school. “Yes, officially, Chamberlayne College is a good school and is improving every day.

“We are serious about what we do for the students we work with and we are serious about academic vigour and excellent progress for all. “Ofsted have seen it, I feel it every day and I would encourage everyone to come and have a look.”

Inspectors said if the school was to become an outstanding school they need to focus on ensuring all teaching is outstanding, that marking of work was consistent and students had sufficient opportunity to share their ideas, work on their own or to work things out for themselves.