As another term starts at Castle Community College, placed in special measures earlier this year, MP Charlie Elphicke is staying positive about its future.

The MP for Deal and Dover says the rise in summer GCSE results shows how hard the school has been working since it went into special measures in April this year.

He said: “Going from 20% to 35% is a striking jump. It shows how much has been done by students, parents, teachers and the strong intervention at the school.

“Much has been done in a short space of time. The school’s leadership and I have not let the grass grow.

“We have moved swiftly and decisively to secure improvements.

“Yet we all know more progress is needed to ensure students have the best possible life chances and opportunities.”

In order for the school to succeed it is advised that it becomes a sponsored academy.

Sponsors could be high performing schools, sixth form colleges, universities, businesses, charities, philanthropists or faith communities.

Once a school has a sponsor they then become responsible for the performance of the school, selecting a governing body and a head teacher.

Mr Elphicke added: “It’s now time to strengthen the school further by partnering with a sponsor that has a proven track record of educational success. I hope this can be moved forward swiftly and look forward to continuing to work with the school and the DfE to ensure we have the stability and excellence needed for success.”

Earlier in the year, former head teacher Philip Bunn made a shock departure which was followed by the announcement that the school would be run by education management organisation SchoolsCompany Ltd with Jane Hadlow acting as interim head teacher.

Mr Elphicke added: “I want to see the academy out of special measures as quickly as possible and to see standards rise further next year.”