Since Immanuel CE Community College opened at Thackley it has attracted a considerable amount of controversy. Many of the stories we have carried about the school have related to its disappointing performance, which culminated in it going into special measures in May after a damning Ofsted report. Head teacher Brenda Hadcroft says that report had a devastating effect and was very painful.

However, developments in the short time since then suggest that it could have supplied the short, sharp shock the school needed to inspire a change in attitude and fortunes. Far from being flattened by the verdict on their poor performance, students and staff appear to have risen to the challenge.

Extra lessons before and after school, holiday sessions and booster classes in core subject, special coaching on how to approach exam papers and how to answer questions - all these have had a notable effect.

The improvement in Key Stage Three SATS has been remarkable. In maths, 62 per cent of students passed this summer compared with 46 per cent last year. Science, too, showed a commendable turnaround, with the pass rate up to 53 per cent from 46 per cent last year. There were more passes in English, too.

It is a real pleasure to be able to report these improvements, which are the result of a lot of hard work and determination. As the head teacher says, they are a real credit to the staff, students and parents. They can now head into the school holidays in a mood of satisfaction and pride. We look forward to being able to report even better results next year.