Education chiefs at Haydon Bridge High School have expressed delight at the school’s latest Ofsted report – despite the fact it still remains in special measures after five years.

The school was first placed in the lowest category by Ofsted in December 2014, and suffered a turbulent few years under academy trust Bright Tribe.

But the latest report, following an inspection on June 5 and June 6, has praised the school in a number of areas.

The report said that leaders and managers were taking effective action towards the removal of special measures.

“The school’s action plan is fit for purpose,” it stated. “The headteacher, the IEB, and the senior leadership team have continued with unwavering candour and resolute determination to improve standards.”

Northumberland County Council’s director of education, Dean Jackson, said he was pleased with the school’s progress since the local authority took back control.

He said: “We’ve got the middle management right.

“It’s a classic school improvement, and it’s a sustainable improvement package.

“We’ve got the right people in place in the school.”

Following the school’s last inspection in November, Coun. Wayne Daley, the council’s portfolio holder for education, said people should wait and judge the authority’s efforts on this latest report.

“The hard work and commitment of the IEB, the headteacher and management team, all of the staff at the school and the students is bearing fruit,” he said.

“They should all be very proud of their achievements.”

Headteacher Darren Glover said he was confident the school would be out of special measures by the next inspection.

He added: “All the foundations are there. Everything is in place.

“What I would say is there’s so many positives. The students come through really strongly.