A FAILING school has turned around its fortunes and been rated ‘good’ by inspectors.

Hertford Junior School in Hollingdean, Brighton, has well-behaved pupils, engaging teachers and positive parents, Ofsted said following a visit in January.

In October 2011, the school was judged ‘inadequate’. By January 2013 it had improved but still ‘required improvement’. However, after three years the school has been judged ‘good’.

Pupils now leave the school with better-than-average reading, writing and maths.

Despite having a high proportion of pupils receiving free school meals (40%), inspectors found even the most disadvantaged met or exceeded average results.

Headteacher Joan Marshall said: “We are delighted. It has been just over three years and it is all down to the hard work and focus of our staff. It’s not that we weren’t any good before, we just needed to revise our ways of doing things.”

Carl Chambers, chairman of the school’s governors, said: “All those involved in the school have worked very hard to turn the school around. Last summer’s results were exceptional, and show the school consistently performing above the national average and among the other top schools in our city.

“We were confident we were a good school, and yet now doubly pleased that this has been confirmed by the official result from Ofsted. The staff and children have worked extremely hard to be where they are now and we continue to set challenges to keep improving, for the good of the children of Hollingdean.”

The inspection report stated: “Senior leaders, including governors, have successfully improved the school since the previous inspection. Pupils achieve well. Teaching is good. Teachers have good relationships with pupils and engage them well in their lessons.

“Pupils have good attitudes to learning. Their behaviour is good and they are polite and friendly. Parents are very positive about all aspects of the school’s work.”