Boundstone gloom lifts

The Lancing school was put into special measures in May, 2002, after its second critical OFSTED report in a row.

The then headteacher, Glynnis Cooke, resigned and Mr Evea was appointed as the new head.

Mr Evea said the school was originally given a target date of April, 2004, to get out of special measures and government inspectors have visited Boundstone Community College every term to chart its progress.

Following a two-day visit in February, inspectors concluded that the school had improved in a number of areas since the 2002 OFSTED report and could

leave special measures.

Mr Evea said: "The staff were very emotional when they were told, because it was very sudden.

"People who had been here for a long time have had two years under pressure and feeling second rate, and the impact of going into special measures was very powerful.

"I would say there was huge relief and then the realisation that there was still much to be done.

"Interestingly, the reaction from the students was that they were not surprised. They knew the school was getting better."

The last two years have been quite a rollercoaster ride for Boundstone Community College, but in the midst of all the pressure from being in special measures, there have been many causes for celebration.

Former student Chris Hide rocketed to stardom in Pop Idol 2 and Boundstone's head of drama and music, Aedan Kerney, was awarded the MBE in the Queen's New Year's Honours List.

"Chris Hide helped enormously and Aedan's MBE helped, too. The band concerts too, these sort of things have helped boost confidence.

"It's milestones like our gymnasts winning a county tournament and Rosa Knight getting a place at Oxford.

"As an example of the improvements, there are 16 students starting an advanced performing arts course.

"That is the quality of the work we are able to do. It is a sign of where we want to go."

Mr Evea said there were more changes to come, with a new building and changes to the management structure. "Satisfactory teaching is not good enough for Boundstone.

"The staff is rising to that challenge. We are saying that good, or very good teaching, helps children to make more progress and gets them to talk and listen better.

"The challenge for us is to continually improve the teaching here."

Mr Evea said he would like to thank the pupils' parents, and added: "They are the people who have the most to lose. A large number of people sent their children here, trusting we were on the right track.

"The parents here did their bit in sending their children here and whenever we asked for help, they gave it.

"Because of that, the children have been particularly supportive. The whole staff have worked extremely hard.

"When it came to Easter, they were all exhausted, but they have picked themselves up."