THE only way is up for Carter Community School.

Disappointing GCSE results and the shock departure of a popular headteacher cast a shadow over the Hamworthy secondary earlier this year.

But acting principal Sam Davidson is determined to turn the fortunes of the school around and is confident she has the staff and the students to do it.

With just 400 pupils it is a relatively small secondary and there are no immediate plans for a sixth form.

But forecasts show more places will be needed for secondary pupils across the whole of the Borough of Poole and that Carter is set to double in size within the next four years.

The school became an academy in April 2013 and is part of the United Learning group, which also includes Winton and Glenmoor and Bournemouth Collegiate School.

With just 29 per cent of students gaining the benchmark standard of at least five GCSEs at grades A*-C, including English and maths, major improvements are needed.

But Mrs Davidson said she is certain results next year will be much better and will be above the government floor standard of 40 per cent.

The school has many new, young staff members who are inspiring pupils to do better.

And senior staff have come up with ingenious ways to raise standards.

In recent weeks Year 11 pupils travelled to the Isle of Wight to combine studies and fun at a Maths and English Intervention Camp.

And pupils are voluntarily attending homework clubs and revision sessions in preparation for their all important GCSEs.

“Our results dropped last year so the biggest thing for us is to get them back up with a real focus on academic rigour,” said Mrs Davidson.

“We are concentrating on the progress of each individual pupil and they are now more engaged with their learning.”

Most pupils at the school come from the catchment area of Hamworthy and Turlin Moor with “a handful” from outside the area. Originally designed as a hospital, it has a spacious feel with wide corridors and large classrooms.