COUNCILLORS learnt of the good work going on at Portland’s academy and its efforts to improve.

County councillors for Portland Paul Kimber and Kate Wheller arranged a meeting with Gary Spracklen, the acting principal of the Isle of Portland Aldridge Community Academy (IPACA).

It comes after Cllr Kimber told a Portland Town Council meeting that he understood 160 students had left the troubled IPACA to go to schools in Weymouth.

It has been a particularly rocky few months for the academy and Cllr Kimber said he wanted to improve the relationship between the county and the school.

IPACA was put into special measures earlier this year following a damning Ofsted report. Principal Joss Hayes vowed to improve – but a few weeks later she suddenly quit her post.

IPACA then launched a consultation on proposals to find savings of £1.7m, equating to 45 full time posts.

After yesterday’s meeting, Gary Spracklen said: “I felt it was important to meet with both Cllr Kimber and Cllr Wheller. I always have an open door approach and it was good to share accurate information and update both councillors on the progress being made at IPACA. Both Cllr Kimber and Cllr Wheller toured our Maritime House Campus and had an opportunity to speak with learners and staff about the changes being made to secure stronger outcomes for our young people.

“I was particularly pleased to share with Cllrs Kimber and Wheller recent data that proves IPACA learners are making phenomenal progress in their reading-age development. This data, supported by external moderation from Wimborne Teaching School and Renaissance Learning, shows that on average learners in Year 7 and 8 made at least 11 months’ progress against peers in their chronological reading-age over the past four months.

“These incredible results in such a short space of time demonstrate the superb hard work, dedication and determination of students and staff. It was good to share with Cllrs Kimber and Wheller how we are building on these reading scores and continuing to broaden the spectrum of success.”

Cllr Kimber said it was a ‘fruitful’ meeting with a good exchange of ideas.

He said a number of students had also joined IPACA so that had to be balanced with those that had left.

Cllr Kimber added: “I was very impressed with what I saw and heard and I think Gary is doing a tremendous job working with the young people at the school.

“IPACA is a good school and I satisfied everyone is doing what they can to give the young people the best education. I’m convinced Gary can turn it round.”