A SCHOOL placed into special measures after its ex headteacher covered up its failings is now improving – and could be transformed into an academy.

Former head AndyWhite left his role at the Woodlands School, Basildon, after Ofsted inspectors criticised it for weak teaching and falling standards in December – and said he had covered up how bad things were.

Inspectors have now been back to the school to check on progress after superhead Karen Kerridge was placed in charge – with a new governing body put in place.

They praised the school for making quick progress and inspector Jason Howard said it was taking “determined”

action to improve teaching.

He said: “The local authority has worked with the school effectively to draw up, and help to implement, clear plans for improvement.”

All schools placed in special measures by Ofsted are given the opportunity of becoming an academy.

Staff at Woodlands are considering the option by having a company or another school sponsor them.

Sponsors are responsible for the performance and finances of their school, setting up the academy trust, selecting the governing body and recruiting a headteacher. Once a headteacher is appointed, sponsors will work closely with them to run the academy.

A decision will be made by the school later this year.

Woodlands was rated inadequate and placed in special measures in December following numerous warnings about exam results by Essex County Council.

After the inspection the governing body was removed, the headteacher left and Karen Kerridge, headteacher at Applegate School in Benfleet, was brought in to oversee the school’s future.

A further inspection is expected at Woodlands in the next fewmonths.

The Echo contacted the school, but no one was available for comment.