A King's Lynn secondary school is 'acting decisively' to improve teaching and learning after it was put in special measures, inspectors said.

The King Edward VII School (KES) was rated as 'inadequate' by Ofsted at its last inspection in September after assessors criticised declining standards and poor teaching.

Lead Ofsted inspector Michael Sutherland also claimed the school's leaders 'rate the school as being better than it is and so miss how it needs to improve'.

However at a monitoring inspection on December 17, the results of which were published yesterday, inspector Jason Howard told headteacher Mike Douglass: 'You and the other members of the leadership team are acting decisively to improve teaching, learning and the effectiveness of leaders and managers.'

Having previously been criticised for not reviewing students' attainment and progress in enough depth, Mr Howard now says that: 'Teachers are starting to use accurate information can already do to plan activities that will build on what they know and tackle any gaps in their understanding. They are using this information to plan extra help for individual students who are at risk of falling behind.'

He added that 'recently appointed senior leaders are intervening swiftly to improve the quality of teaching when that is necessary'.

'Staff welcome the changes that you are making and value the support they receive to improve aspects of their teaching and meeting their challenging targets.

'They share the high degree of ambition you have for the students.'

He also said: 'Progress towards some of the school improvement plan's priorities has been faster than expected. The school should amend the plan to reflect this.'

KES is also planning to become an academy sponsored by the College of West Anglia Academy Trust.

Headteacher Mike Douglass said he was pleased with Ofsted's comments and that the school had been implementing several changes since the last full inspection was published in November.

How do you think KES is doing? Write, giving your full contact details, to: The Letters Editor, EDP, Prospect House, Rouen Road, Norwich NR1 1RE or email EDPLetters@archant.co.uk