Two “failing” Dudley schools have staved off the threat of heightened Government scrutiny following improvements in pupils’ exam results.

Under Whitehall proposals consultants would have been sent into Coseley and Wordsley schools to shake up teaching on the sites. They were among four secondaries in the borough named and shamed by the Government earlier this year for poor GCSE results, with less than 30 per cent of students gaining five or more A* to C grades last year. 

The other “failing” schools, Castle High and Pensnett High, were not earmarked for consultants’ assessments because plans are already in place. Castle High will become an academy while Pensnett will close and form a new academy with Crestwood School. 

Now cabinet member for children’s services, Councillor Liz Walker, says Coseley and Wordsley will also avoid visits from troubleshooters after this year’s GCSE marks showed significant improvements. There was an 11 per cent increase in those gaining five or more A* to C grades at Coseley. Wordsley’s percentage has yet to be finalised.

“Both schools have improved greatly and we are doing everything we can to ensure the next set of results are some way above the floor target.”

The news means Dudley Council will have more money to spend on projects at other schools.

Mrs Walker added she was pleased to hear Holly Hall Maths and Computing College had secured trust status. The school has been placed on the Government’s supported schools programme and will get £10,000 to fund a link-up with Dudley College and the University of Wolverhampton.