A failing Shropshire school branded “ineffective” by education watchdogs has turned around its fortunes and been taken out of “special measures”.

Southall School in Telford was told it needed to improve two years ago after Ofsted inspectors recorded a catalogue of problems including unruly behaviour and staff struggling to cope.

But now the special school has turned itself around and has been taken out of the “special measures” after inspectors highlighted improvements.

Their two-day unannounced inspection included the observation of lessons, dialogue with parents and scrutiny of school policies.

It found that the school off Rowan Avenue in Dawley, whose pupils have moderate learning difficulties, provided a satisfactory education which was rapidly improving.

The report said: “All leaders have a much clearer view of areas of strength and areas requiring further development within the school and this is helping to drive the good improvement since the school was placed in special measures.”

A series of reforms had been brought in two years ago, including appointing two more school governors, offering individual support to pupils, and reviewing the curriculum in a bid to improve the school.

The latest report said: “Southall provides a satisfactory education which is rapidly improving. In accordance with section 13 (4) of the Education Act 2005, Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector is of the opinion that the school no longer requires special measures.”

The report said the school needed to make further improvements such as helping teachers to be more precise about what they wanted pupils to learn and do and using information about pupils’ skills and knowledge more effectively during lessons.

Belinda Logan, the school’s headteacher, said: “The progress made by the school is the result of considerable hard work and serious commitment.”

By Lisa Rowley