A SPECIAL needs school has been praised for making “obvious improvements” since it was placed in special measures last year.

Ramsden Hall School, in Heath Road, Ramsden Heath, was deemed to be failing in all areas when it was inspected by Ofsted in January 2014.

The interim board drafted in to improve the school wants to convert it to academy status, and is in negotiations with a potential sponsor about funding.

The residential school, near Billericay, is for boys aged 11 to 16 with behavioural, emotional and social difficulties.

In a letter to headteacher Garry Walker, Ofsted inspector Mary Rayner said: “Having considered all the evidence I am of the opinion leaders and managers are taking effective actions towards the removal of special measures.

“Leaders and staff are now confident that the needs of pupils are more accurately identified when they start at the school.

“Staff are rightly proud of the obvious improvements made to the learning environments, which are supporting pupils to learn better and have raised the quality of teaching.

“There are now a significant number of good teachers, who have high expectations of pupils both in their work and in their attitude to learning, and this is ensuring that the work of pupils and staff is continually improving.

“Rates of serious incidents of poor behaviour and exclusions are continuing to reduce because the confidence and ability of staff to manage them is increasing.”

At the time of last year’s inspection, the school had two sites 40 miles apart, with a second campus in Langham, near Colchester.

The school had a combined 38 students living there one to four nights per week, with three out of five of pupils using the Ramsden Heath site.

The two sites have since separated, with the Langham site now operating as Langham Oaks School.

Ms Rayner’s report on the latest visit, the fifth since last year's damming inspection, states a preferred sponsor for Ramsden Hall School has been identified.

She said: “The sponsors have made visits to the school and the leadership and interim board have confidence in both their knowledge and approach to working with the pupils and staff of this school.”

BEHAVIOUR AND SAFETY CONCERNS IN LAST YEAR'S REPORT

ESSEX County Council launched a public consultation into the future of Ramsden Hall School after last year’s damning report.

The majority of failures identified by Ofsted were at the Ramsden Heath site, rather than the “stronger” campus in north Essex.

Education bosses proposed splitting the campuses into two separate schools.

It was initially envisaged the Langham site would become privately financed by a sponsor, while Ramsden Hall remained under county council control.

However, it has now emerged the Ramsden Heath site is also close to finalising a deal with a private sponsor.

The report, published last March, rated the school as inadequate for behaviour and safety of pupils, leadership and management.

Inspectors found pupils were falling behind in writing, reading and maths, while inexperienced teachers with a lack of confidence were struggling to control bad behaviour.