STUDENTS at the University of Chester Academy Northwich are “buying into the new academy ethos of high aspirations and hard work.”

That is one of the findings of the third monitoring inspection at the school by education watchdogs since it became subject to special measures in February 2014.

The school was required to improve the quality of teaching, the behaviour of students and the effectiveness of senior and middle leaders.

Patrick Geraghty, one of two Ofsted inspectors who visited the school on March 4 and 5, said the school was making reasonable progress towards the removal of special measures.

The report said new interim principal Cath Green had streamlined and reorganised senior leadership roles, which had brought a clarity, purpose and focus to senior management.

“Staff told inspectors they fully support recent changes and expressed strong confidence in the senior leadership,” said the report.

“The refocused and energised senior leadership team have the capacity to move the academy rapidly forward.

The inspectors said central to the instigation of a “transformed culture of high aspiration and expectations” had been the contribution of executive principal Tom Quinn.

“He has been the fulcrum for implementing rapid and profound changes,” said the report.

“His wisdom, experience of outstanding practice and dynamic drive has ensured the academy has moved forward rapidly.”

Mrs Green said: “During the inspection Mr Geraghty verified the excellent progress we are making. He was very positive about the students and the rapid improvements we have already made.

“The report is a testament to the resilience, determination and ambition of the leadership team, our students, the staff and the wider dedicated team of professionals and parents, who continue to support us.

“If our results in the summer are as good as we have predicted and we continue with the same drive and energy we will get UCAN to ‘good’ – a great springboard on our journey to ‘outstanding’.”

Mrs Green was appointed in October, and the roles and responsibilities of the senior leadership team have been reorganised.

A new head of English took up post in November, and further teaching staff have been appointed.

The report said senior leaders had continued to build on the overall improvements in GCSE results and the marking of students’ work had improved significantly.

“Students want to learn and have an increasingly positive work commitment and ethos, and their participation in academy life is increasing,” said the report.