A NEW timetable and teacher training in behaviour management are part of an Action Plan drawn up by West Somerset College to improve the standards.

The plan has been drawn up by the leadership team and board of governors in light of the most recent Ofsted report that deemed the college “inadequate” on all levels.

The plan aims for 53% of the students to achieve five A*-C grades, including maths and English, by April 2015.

This will be raising the standards by 10% since October 2014.

The college timetable is also to be restructured as part of the plan and has been effective since Monday.

The college will operate on a fiveperiod day – four in the morning and one after lunch – and lessons will be 65 minutes long.

Behaviour at the college was also identified as an issue by Ofsted.

The plan aims to “eradicate” the poor behaviour that affects pupils’ learning by making sure all staff with a responsibility for behaviour management have external training on key skills, such as de-escalation.

The Ofsted inspection was carried out in September after a number of complaints about the college were submitted to the governing body.

The Ofsted Action Plan was submitted to Ofsted on November 17 but is still waiting acceptance.

“We have to start work on it now,” said a spokesperson for the college. “We can’t wait around for Ofsted approval.

“They might make a few changes to it but we hope not.”

Outrage from parents came when the college initially failed to meet the Government’s target of 40% of students achieving five A* to C grades including English and maths; however, after the remoderating of English coursework the percentage rose from 38 to 42.

Sixth-form students at the college who did not gain GCSE English or maths will be able to access a minimum of two lessons a week in each subject in order to raise achievement at the college.

Ian Liddell-Granger, MP for Bridgwater and West Somerset, has been working closely with the college on the action plan.

He said: “We have come up with a plan that will work.

“All we ask is for people to be patient and give it time for all the plans to settle in.”

Lee Webb, one of the founding members of the campaign to remove the head teacher, Gaynor Comber, from her position from the college, has called the plan “great news for the college”.

“Personally, I think it looks well thought out and I really do wish the college succeeds in its goals,” he told the County Gazette.

“My opinion may not reflect us all but I will be giving the college my full support, and if Gaynor Comber and the board of governors can prove that this plan will work, then I am prepared to see them succeed without hindrance.”

A spokesperson for the Department of Education said: “We are aware of West Somerset College’s action plan, and are working closely with the Regional Schools Commissioner, Sir David Carter, to ensure the academy raises standards swiftly, and improves outcomes for students.”

In line with other schools who are judged to require Special Measures, the college will be allocated one of her Majesty’s Inspectors of Schools (HMI) who will visit the college on at least five separate occasions between now and summer 2016.

The full Ofsted action plan is available on the college website.