CHILDREN, parents and staff are celebrating after education watchdogs finally lifted the threat of closure from their school.

Senacre Technology College in Maidstone was placed in special measures two years ago, following a critical Ofsted report.

Inspectors from the Government agency had been concerned about the standards of teaching and pupils attitude to learning.

A new head teacher, Sheila Storey, was brought in to take the school in a new direction. Failure could ultimately have led to its closure. Ofsted has decided to take the school out of special measures following a two-day visit last week.

Inspectors decided education provided at the school was now "more than satisfactory" and no longer needed special intervention.

No lesson examined was less than satisfactory with pupil attitude and behaviour much improved on two years ago.

Children now appeared to be more enthusiastic about learning. Attendance at lessons is now to about 90 per cent with a target to improve that further in the coming months.

Mrs Storey's 'tenacious and determined' management style was also praised. She will remain at the school for a further year to ensure the improvements are built on and bedded in.

Mrs Storey said the school's target had always been to get the school out of special measured before the end of the summer term. She said: "The school has improved greatly and the positive attitude of the students is evident. They're really proud of their school now.

"I never considered closure. It never entered my head. I knew it could be turned around."