Stanley Deason High School in east Brighton was a success when it opened almost 30 years ago under the leadership of John Werner.

But in the nine years since he left, it has changed its name twice, been put in special measures, seen its numbers fall by half and been threatened with closure.

There were some problems even Mr Werner would have found hard to combat, such as rising unemployment and increased parental choice.

But the former head has some good common sense things to say about the school, now called East Brighton College of Media Arts.

There was strict discipline, which generally worked well despite difficulties with some of the children.

The name changes may have been a mistake, since Stanley Deason, named after a former Brighton Mayor, generally had a good reputation.

It was also a great shame that so many heads came and went because this meant the school lacked stability.

Perhaps it is too late now for some of the measures advocated by Mr Werner to be reintroduced at the college.

But it does seem a shame that children from Whitehawk and other parts of the city will have to travel long distances to other schools.

Consultation on its future may yet indicate enough support to save it but that seems doubtful now. Lessons learnt from the sorry saga must now be applied to other schools facing problems.