Aspatria's Beacon Hill School is celebrating after a monitoring inspection this month.

The school was shown as needing improvement last year but this month's report acknowledged that the school was "taking effective action to tackle the areas requiring improvement".

Headteacher David Millne said he was "absolutely delighted" at the report.

He added: "We will now await a full Ofsted inspection in 12 or 18 months. We are no longer being monitored.

"It is satisfying, of course, that this turnaround has happened during my time as head but it really has been a team effort - governors, senior staff, teachers, teacher aids, parents and children."

Improvements include tackling truancy and imposing penalty fees for parents who, despite support, are failing to ensure their children attend school.

An attendance panel offers support to pupils who are frequently absent and an improved system on checking up on an absent student has been introduced.

The number of absences has been significantly reduced as a result.

Mr Millne said the school was now working closer than every with feeder primary schools to ensure a smooth transition for children coming into the school.

They have also gained a better understanding of the needs of primary pupils coming to secondary school.

He also believes that intensive marketing is changing the community's image of Beacon Hill as a school requiring improvement.

"We have especially worked on literacy. Our numeracy has been on par or better than some neighbouring schools for three years in a row. Now we are putting a lot of emphasis on literacy but also trying to make it fun - enriched literacy."

The inspector found that two new governors have been appointed and governors are meeting more often and providing greater detailed oversight of the school.

The county council has reduced its support for the school because it is making good progress.

There are strategic improvement meetings held termly in which leaders and governors meet to discuss the improvements that have been made. 

The council has organised specialist support from Keswick School and West Lakes Academy in Egremont.