AN Andover school in special measures has been told it is making “reasonable progress” by inspectors.

The second monitoring inspection of Winton Community Academy since December 2013 revealed the improvements that have been overseen by new principal, Nathan Thomas, who took charge in September.

Ofsted inspectors noted that the secondary school had made significant improvement inmaths and English, with a “significant improvement” in the proportion of Year 11 students who made reasonable progress in the latter subject.

The report added that teachers provided “activities and tasks which excite students’ curiosity and which challenge them to think”, while also praising the way “teachers structure the lessons so that students make rapid progress.”

Inspectors also reserved special praise for Mr Thomas’ “clear direction”

and “accurate understanding of the academy’s strengths and weaknesses.”

Mr Thomas is now hoping to continue the turnaround by transforming Winton Community Academy into an “outstanding” school.

He said: “I am delighted that the hard work of students and staff has been recognised and Ofsted can see that Winton is making the first footsteps to the outstanding school the community deserves.

“There’s a real momentum in the academy with absolute commitment from all stakeholders to rapidly get the school back to being a centre of academic excellence in the community.

“The community in Andover have very fond memories of the school they went to. And I know that the community want Winton to return to the good school it once was and for that journey to begin.”