A SOUTHAMPTON school has been brought out of special measures.

Sholing Technology College has been brought up one grade from “inadequate” to “requires improvement”.

Government inspectors said “the quality of teaching, learning and assessment is improving, but is inconsistent” and “disadvantaged pupils and those who have special educational needs and/or disabilities do not achieve well enough”.

But they praised head teacher Martin Brown and his senior team for being “tireless” in tackling the areas for improvement and that leaders are “highly effective” in their efforts to ensure pupils are safe.

It comes just a year and a half after safeguarding at the school was said to be “ineffective” and and nearly three years after two former members of staff were found guilty of possessing indecent images of children.

Now inspectors say safeguarding is “effective” and the school is a “warm, nurturing culture in which pupils’ welfare has a high priority”.

It comes just days after the Daily Echo revealed £2.4 million will be spent on school improvements.

Mr Brown said he is “delighted” and added: “Staff and students have all worked really hard together to achieve this fantastic outcome.

“This is a significant achievement to be removed from a category in such a short time and with only one full monitoring inspection. The average time period for this to occur nationally is between 18 and 24 working months.

“While celebrating our success we also recognise that work must continue to enable the school to drive to outstanding.”

In July 2016 inspectors gave leadership, teaching and behaviour at Sholing Technology College the lowest grade possible, plunging it into special measures.

Conservative councillor for Sholing, James Baillie, said: “It is important to recognise the progress.

“It is clear however, that there is still a way to go, and I would call on the council to support the college in all possible ways on their journey to once again becoming an excellent place of education.”