A WATERSIDE school described as "failing" by Ofsted inspectors has turned its performance around spectacularly.

Test results for 11-year-olds at Langdown Junior School Hythe show a massive improvement on last year.

The 110-pupil school has jumped from having the lowest aggregate score of Hampshire schools to matching last year's national and county average.

Of the 26 pupils who sat the key stage two exams in May, 77 per cent reached level-four and above in English, 73 per cent in maths and 96 per cent in science. This compares to last year where 57 per cent of pupils reached the expected level of attainment for an 11-year-old and above in English, 39 per cent in maths and 48 per cent in science.

The impressive results at the Ashford Crescent school comes ten months after Ofsted inspectors placed it on special measures for failing to provide a satisfactory quality of education.

Since then head teacher Andy Heyes has been seconded by Hampshire County Council to raise standards across the board. He took over in January from former head teacher Jenny Palmer who took early retirement.

"The school's staff have really pulled out all the stops and these results reflect the efforts of everyone at Langdown Junior School," he said.

"Our youngsters have worked hard and we are delighted for them and for all other members of the school community."

Since its poor Ofsted report, the school for seven to 11-year-olds has been inspected every term.

Mr Heyes, who will return to Stoke Park Junior School, Bishopstoke, where he is head teacher, in September, said he hoped the school would be taken off special measures in November.

Next January Langdown Infant and Junior schools will amalgamate to create a primary school under head Colin Stevens.