72007-63A SWINDON school that was shut down and reopened after being labelled a failure is finally on the mend.

Headlands School has faced a turbulent three years after being placed in special measures by Ofsted inspectors in 2002.

But the news is good from its latest HMI (Her Majesty's Inspectors) inspection which took place on May 9 and 10.

Inspectors have already praised the school for "tremendous improvements" and for good behaviour in lessons.

The teachers' rapport with students was also praised as was their enthusiasm in teaching.

Headteacher Jan Shadick, who started when the school was re-opened under the Fresh Start initiative last September, said: "This is just initial feedback but it is encouraging.

"I am looking forward to receiving the full report and I am confident it will recognise all the improvements that have been made thanks to the hard work of the staff, students, parents and governors."

In the Advertiser on April 18, it was reported that Headlands has a budget deficit of £250,000 and that by the end of the year this could go up to £500,000.

Phil Baker is Swindon branch secretary of the ATL teaching union.

He said: "As a union, we welcome the improvements in the performance of Headlands School.

"We trust that the large amounts of resources put in to boost the school will continue to be available to the headteacher and staff so that these improvements can be sustained and build upon."

But he said the school's financial problems must be sorted out.

"Clearly as a school Head-lands still has serious budget difficulties and as a union we hope that this will be resolved."

Richard Millard is a governor at Headlands School.

He said: "Obviously we have worked hard since September to try and set the school on the kind of improvement path that everybody wants.

"We are very pleased the progress we have been making has been recognised."

He admitted that staff at the school were nervous about the inspection.

"Everybody is always worried before these things.

"Sometimes the feeling is that the result does not reflect the circumstances of the school but this one was pretty fair.

"The thing we've been concentrating on is making sure the pupils go to school when they ought to and that they behave in such a way that they can learn.

"We have also put a lot of focus on inducting new teachers because that is very important."

But he admits the school is not entirely out of the woods yet.

"We've got a long way to go before we reach the end of the improvement path we've set ourselves.

"There is still a lot to do."

The school has not yet received a full written report from the inspectors and this will be published shortly.

Diana Milne