A PUPIL referral unit that was judged inadequate by education inspectors is making satisfactory progress in tackling problems and raising the achievement of youngsters.
The New Horizons Learning Centre – until recently the Cotswold Education Centre – was found to be performing significantly less well than expected when the team from education watchdog Ofsted visited last September.
It was given notice to improve and has now been inspected again by a monitoring team.
As a result, inspector Sarah Mascall said: "Having considered all the evidence, I am of the opinion that at this time the school is making satisfactory progress in addressing the issues for improvement and in raising the pupils' achievement."
The pupil referral unit (PRU) provides for children who are not in mainstream schools for a variety of reasons.
Some have behavioural, emotional and social difficulties, while others have been excluded from school for short periods or permanently.
Teenage mums, youngsters with health problems and young patients in hospital are also part of the PRU, which has sites in Kingswood, Mangotsfield, Filton and Frenchay.
Executive head teacher Tania Craig had only been in post for three weeks before the previous inspection and at the time, Ofsted said she and other leaders were already making a difference.
Ms Mascall said Ms Craig and her team had ensured a clear focus on addressing shortcomings and had worked well with staff to bring about improvements. She said: "They have been supported by the local authority, which has provided an extensive range of training together with regular support. This is bringing about positive changes.
"Quick action by senior leaders has addressed the safeguarding concerns raised by the previous inspection."
Other areas for improvement that had been highlighted included improving teaching, especially at the Severnside campus in Filton for excluded pupils, and improving the attendance of older pupils.
Ms Mascall said: "In lessons observed at Severnside, pupils generally behaved well. Pupils only became unsettled when they were not challenged by the tasks or lessons were not well planned."
She said attendance levels remained a cause for concern, although for most individuals it was improving and it was still too early to fully assess the impact of new systems.
She said: "There is a clear sense of commitment on the part of staff as they are keen to bring about improvements.
"The good use of consultants and links with mainstream schools are doing much to develop staff skills."
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