St Edmund’s Catholic School in Dover is one step closer from removing itself from special measures, say Ofsted inspectors.

A report, published last week, said that the school, in Old Charlton Road had received its third inspection since being placed in a special measures category and is making progress.

It is believed that the school will eventually be turned into an academy.

In 2013, Ofsted issued the secondary school with key pointers to implement over the year, including changes to the teacher-student relationship and to how lessons are delivered.

The report says: “In 2013, GCSE results improved notably.

“About half of students gained five good GCSE grades including English and mathematics.

“The school’s information indicates that this improvement should be sustained in 2014, with the current Year 10 cohort being appropriately targeted to do better still in 2015.”

It adds: “Teaching has improved since the last monitoring visit. Students are getting a better deal and are noticing this."

“Teaching has improved since the last monitoring visit. Students are getting a better deal and are noticing this.” - Ofsted report

The report adds that students’ attendance is still a little under average, but that the school has “high expectations” of punctuality which are usually met.

Over the past year, a new interim executive board has been introduced, including a new chairman, who has experience of being a head teacher at another school.

The report goes on: “Governance, through the interim executive board, continues to improve. The new chairman of the Interim Executive Board, John Philpott, an experienced local Catholic primary head teacher, brings much valuable insight and experience.

“This is useful as the school continues to expect eventual academy status.

“The board’s regular monthly meetings are well conducted and focused, as are members’ regular visits to the school.”

Ofsted’s last advice was to ensure school leaders “carefully” monitor all school departments and improvement initiatives so that students continue progressing.

When this does not happen, Ofsted said that senior leaders should intervene immediately.