THE headteacher of a secondary school which needs to improve has told of her determination to make things happen.

Hassenbrook Academy in Stanford-le-Hope has been found to “require improvement” by Ofsted inspectors who visited just before Christmas.

Michelle Bamber, who started as headteacher in September, said plans were in place to make improvements.

The school’s inspection came just 18 months after its last one in June 2012, when under the old framework the school was judged to be “satisfactory”.

On their visit in December, inspectors found:

*Some teaching requires improvement - or is inadequate.

*The quality of marking varies across subjects and students are not consistently shown how to reach the next steps and often do not make corrections pointed out by teachers.

*Although now rising, attendance is still slightly below the national average.

But the report also stated that “the new headteacher has acted swiftly to improve achievement and teaching, but has not yet had time to fully embed all her initiatives” - and that “governors are supportive and knowledgeable but recognise that there is still work to be done”.

Mrs Bamber said: “Whilst we are disappointed that we have not achieved a “good” grade, the important point that should be highlighted is that Ofsted is confident the school has good capacity to improve.

“We have already taken steps to improve, through staff changes, added rigour in monitoring and accountability for making sure pupils and staff alike believe they can achieve the highest levels and to not be satisfied with a C grade.”

More than 600 pupils attend Hassenbrook, which became an academy in February 2012.

It is one of just two schools in Thurrock that is not graded good or outstanding.

However, most schools in the borough are yet to be inspected by Ofsted under the new “tougher” criteria, which came in to play in 2012.

Mrs Bamber added: “We are not going to waste time sulking about our grade or disputing where we have been judged.

“Of course we would liked to have been graded “good”. We weren’t but we will be really soon.

“Once we achieve that, we can take our next steps towards being “outstanding”.

“After all, that’s what I want for our pupils – to provide them with an outstanding education.”