JUST weeks into the academic year, Chafford Hundred Campus Headteacher Chris Tomlinson has made an early assessment of how his school is coping with adversity.

After being slated by Ofsted inspectors, Mr Tommlinson believes the school is back on the right track.

He said: "The progress made since September has been part of an upward curve that started sometime ago. But since September the improvements have been snowballing."

"Last year's vastly improved exam results have been the launchpad for a series of intiatives to further improve educational attainment, new assessment tasks and increased guidance for learning."

The school has been a hive of activity since September with new clubs and special activities happening every week.

Deputy Head, Clare Suttling said: "With business and enterprise being a key part of our culture, we have had some fantastic intitiatives recently."

The school hosted a Dragons Den Day where schools from across the borough worked together to "sell" their ideas to a panel of Essex businessmen headed by Rob Jupp, Managing Director of two award-winning Southend based companies.

Mrs Suttling said: "The whole event was a massive success and has given students another opportunity to make connections with the real business world."

Many students have noted that the level of behaviour at the school has also greatly improved.

Mr Tomlinson said: "It has always been good but we have had a new drive and looked at it from a fresh perspective. We have also raised the profile of the school council and students feel a lot more responsible for their school.

Chair of school council, Stevie Colston said: "We have a lot of input into how the school should be run. The staff are really positive about all our ideas."

Fellow member, Harry Johnson said: "I'm in Year 7 but the council even gives the youngest members of the school a voice."

Everyone at the school enjoy its week off but came back refreshed for the seven week push to Christmas.

Mr Tomlinson said: "I'm really pleased with the progress so far. In the long term we plan to expand by over 30 students per year. The future looks good if we all work together."

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