A former failing school was praised today for reversing its fortunes in record time.

East Brighton College of Media Arts (Comart) was one of three schools in Sussex to be taken out of special measures by the Government education watchdog Ofsted last year.

Along with Seaford Primary School and Ifield Middle School in Crawley, it was praised in the annual inspector's report for making significant progress.

The report singled out more than 600 schools in England that either did exceptionally well in their inspections or had made enough progress to be taken out of special measures because they were no longer considered to be failing.

Five other schools out of 55 across the South-East were also commended for excellent reports last year.

Comart acting headteacher Jenny Pick praised the hard work of staff and pupils as well as the tough approach of headteacher Jill Clough, who was drafted in to get the school back on track but is currently on sick leave.

She said: "I put it down to the quality of the teaching and the quality of the learning.

"The school came out of special measures within one year which is very quick, normally it is two to three years.

"We have been prioritising learning and helping students to fulfill their potential so that pupils maximise their opportunities and life chances.

"If someone leaves with five GCSEs and it's the best they could have done then that's just as good as someone who will be leaving with nine A*."

The school was placed in special measures in 2001 after a damning report revealed it was failing pupils.

It had previously been in special measures in 1996 when it was still called Stanley Deason High School.

It came out of special measures in January 2002 and, despite still having one of the highest truancy rates in the country, its GCSE exam results were up three per cent last year.

Derek Bown, chairman of governors, said: "I am pleased with the results because it is an upward trend. They are still not good enough but they are moving in the right direction.

"It takes time for pupils and staff to gain the confidence that they can do it."

Mr Bown said they had been concentrating on reducing absenteeism by employing two education officers and making learning fun.

He said: "The most important thing is making the education we provide attractive and worthwhile instead of dragooning children to school."