A TROUBLED secondary school has come out of special measures following a Government inspection.

Blackheath Bluecoat Church of England school was identified as struggling in 2003 after Oftsed inspectors found declining teaching standards and low GCSE results.

Since then the 971-pupil Old Dover Road school has been in special measures, which sees inspectors visiting regularly and staff receiving advice on tackling behaviour problems, teaching standards and improving leadership.

But since the appointment of headmaster Paul Petty in 2003 the school has started to improve and was taken out of special measures following the visit by Ofsted inspectors on May 18.

Under Mr Petty's leadership the number of students achieving five or more A* to C grades at GCSE has doubled from 13 to 26 per cent although the school is still the second worst performer in the borough.

He said: "I'm delighted and relieved as well.

"We started something and we have seen it through and that's something really special.

"We've all worked very hard but the children are the real heroes here.

"They have responded magnificently to the new ethos we have created at the school.

"None of it would have been possible without their commitment."

Cabinet member for lifelong learning and voluntary sector Councillor Angela Cornforth said: "I'm sure the school will continue its current rate of improvement. This is good news for parents, students and staff."