Ref. 28690-6THERE have been major changes at Dorcan Technology College since its last inspection in 1998 one year before it gained specialist status.

The past four years have been such a success that the Department for Education and Skills has renewed the school's specialist status until 2007.

This means it will receive a further £500,000 in funding over four years.

"The school has made good progress in meeting its aims as a technology college, making good provision and raising standards in design and technology, science and information and communication technology," says the latest Ofsted report.

The quality of teaching was found to be good and the report says the 1,320 students benefit from teachers who know their subjects well.

The report also highlights the following strengths:

l Strong leadership throughout the college and a commitment to improvement

l Good curriculum provision, particularly in Years 10 and 11, with enrichment programmes and community links.

Results in national tests and examinations in the last three years were found to be below average. For the past two years, 44 per cent of students gained five or more GCSEs grades at A to C.

But inspectors concluded this represented good achievement for most students, who entered the school with well below average standards.

The inspectors also identified several areas for improvement, such as tackling weaknesses in literacy skills, which are hindering achievement across the curriculum.

Helping students' personal development and citizenship were found to be unsatisfactory.

A daily act of worship was also recommended as well as greater consistency in the management of student behaviour.

Headteacher Dr Scott Sissons said: "The report is a welcome confirmation that the school is continuing to improve and is well positioned to raise standards further in the future."