Isle of Sheppey Academy principal David Day has spoken about the progress he and his management team have made after being given a notice to improve.

Last week we reported how Ofsted has said the school is making “satisfactory” steps forward after its overall effectiveness was rated inadequate in January.

Sixths months on, Mr Day has been sent a letter from inspectors saying they think things are getting better.

Since the previous inspection, more than 30 new members of staff have been appointed and construction of the new buildings is well under way.

Five of these teachers are through the Teach First Scheme which recruits graduates from the country’s top 20 universities.

Although the letter says the proportion of effective teaching is steadily increasing, there is a considerable proportion where it remains satisfactory with lessons not incorporating activities to suit different students’ needs.

However, Mr Day said there are already things in place to target these issues.

“We are using the scheme to improve attainment in the three core subjects,” he said.

“We have also become a national pilot school in a teaching effectiveness enhancement project which means staff training days will be focused on how to teach more effectively.

“In the training days they will be talking about good practices and good ideas and helping students to be more active rather than just merely sitting at desks soaking up information.

“To further improve teaching we are revising our lesson plans and there will be a Monday meeting where teachers plan lessons jointly in their departments.”

Mr Day said he has been delighted with the response from his 384 Year 11 students who were put in early for their GCSE exams in English and maths.

Thirty five per cent of them received A to C grades and they have also seen an improvement in the number of As and A*s.