THE “relentless drive and determination” of the head teacher at Ely College has seen the school improve from satisfactory to good in its latest inspection.

Following an inspection carried out late last month, inspectors from Ofsted said attendance, behaviour and punctuality had all improved and students were being prepared well to be successful.

Lead inspector Anne Pepper said: “Leaders, particularly the principal, have maintained a single-minded and rigorous drive on improving teaching. There is now a strong team of leaders at senior and middle leader levels so actions taken are more consistent.

“The impact of stronger leadership across the college is now showing in improvements to teaching, attendance, behaviour and the curriculum at Key Stage 4.”

Inspectors noted that students felt safe at the college and that behaviour and punctuality was improving, following the introduction of the college’s zero tolerance approach to bad behaviour.

The standard of teaching was judged as “good and improving” by inspectors, who said that teachers were being actively challenged by head teacher Catherine Jenkinson-Dix to show how they were being inspirational.

Mrs Pepper said: “A strong feature of teaching is that teachers are clear about what students are expected to learn in lessons and the usually good feedback means they know how well they are doing. Verbal feedback to students in lessons is a strength.”

In discussions with parents and some staff, inspectors noted that the school’s behaviour policy was not being applied consistently across the board and said that, in order for the school to become outstanding, that would have to improve.

Inspectors also said that the attendance record at the sixth form college would need improving and that a wider variety of courses were needed.