A HEADTEACHER believes her school is on the way to redemption after inspectors visited for the third time this year.

Officials from Oftsed, the Government’s schools watchdog, checked on the progress of Hameldon Community College, in Burnley, 18 months after it was placed in special measures.

The Byron Street school, which forms part of the £250million Building Schools for the Future scheme, had been beset by problems, including truancy and a racial attack on a pupil last year.

But now headteacher Gill Broom says the school is on track to leave special measures at the end of the academic year after inspectors judged its progress to be ‘satisfactory’.

She said: “I think the report is broadly positive if you look through it.

“It says real improvements have been made in the leadership and management, and it says students are now experiencing a range of teaching and their views are being taken into account.

“There are also things we want to work on too. We want to improve responsibility among students, we will be addressing the behaviour of students and those who don’t live up to expectations.

“According to Ofsted we have made satisfactory progress and we are hoping to be removed from special measures by the end of the academic year.”

In their report, inspectors praised teachers at the 900-pupil school, saying their performance and lessons were much improved.

They noted that the number of pupil exclusions was falling and said a new attendance officer, hired to cut down on truancy, was doing a “sterling job”.

However, they added: “Students’ attitudes and behaviour are still variable. Many students work hard in lessons and respond well to teachers.

“A minority, usually among the average or below average ability groups, have weak self-control and do not always give teachers the respect they deserve.

“Their lack of effort is a significant factor in their underachievement.”