LEADERS at West Somerset College - which is currently in special measures after being branded inadequate on all levels by Government inspectors - have published a plan of action for improvement.

The plan, which has been submitted to Ofsted, contains a series of tough targets designed to turn around the fortunes of the college, which inspectors concluded was failing students across the board, by spring 2016.

A raft of outside education experts have been drafted in to help the college tackle the criticisms and failings outlined by Ofsted inspectors.

These range from working with Heathfield School in Taunton to improve maths and The Blue School, Wells, to raise standards in English.

An education consultant is working with teachers, while senior leaders and even governors are receiving help from experts.

A designated 'national leader of education' from an outstanding London school is also giving support, as well as a headteacher from a school in Gosport.

And education advisors from South West Regional Schools Commissioner Sir David Carter's office are also visiting regularly.

The plan, which has yet to be accepted by Ofsted, is designed to address the failings outlined by inspectors, including the need to eradicate inadequate teaching and increase the amount of good teaching.

It sets a milestone of ensuring that 90 per cent of teaching is good and 30 per cent outstanding within the next two years.

And it also lays down a target of 53 per cent of students achieving the Government benchmark of five A* to C GCSEs, including English and maths by next year.

This year's initial 38 per cent figure - which rose to 42 per cent after appeal - sparked the massive backlash from parents which eventually led to Ofsted and Government education chiefs being called in.

But in addition to eradicating poor teaching and raising standards, particularly in English and maths, the plan also sets out how the college will tackle all the issues outlined by Ofsted inspectors.

This includes a crackdown on bad behaviour, which is currently said to be impeding students' learning, and raising attendance levels to bring them at least in line with the national average.

The college's leadership and management, which has been severely criticised, will also have to improve, with additional training planned and an external review of the way it is governed.

In line with all schools and colleges that are placed in special measures, the college will be allocated one of Her Majesty's Inspectors of Schools who will make at least five visits between now and the summer of 2016.

Written reports on the progress made against the targets in the plan will be published after each visit.

Jim Butterworth, a member of the West Somerset Raising Standards group, which has led the campaign to get concerns about the college recognised nationally, said the first report by the HMI appointed inspector was expected to be received around Christmas.

"I think we are waiting for that and we shall see where we go from there," he said.

"Overall, and provided Ofsted are happy with progress, I think our work is done, though we are monitoring the situation.

"The experts are now in and it is their job to ensure the recovery is a success."

Mr Butterworth said the action plan was certainly very comprehensive and management should now be working hard to achieve it.

"It is now really a change of attitude that is needed at the college and that might be the most difficult to achieve.

"An apology to all parents and students would not go amiss and might heal some wounds and get the community back on side."

Two petitions launched by campaigners calling for principal Gaynor Comber and the entire board of governors to resign have each attracted more than 400 signatures.

Mr Butterworth said that was an "astronomical" number for West Somerset.

A 12-page summary of the action plan and the full 121-page document is available to view on the college's website.