Cambridge High moving forward

Cambridge High School principal Alison Annan stood accused of manipulating results. Picture / Greg Bowker

Cambridge High appears to have put its troubled past behind it, with a glowing report praising the progress of a school that a year ago faced collapse.

Former principal Alison Annan left amid allegations of "manipulation" of exam results and financial conflicts of interest.

The defining symbol of the school's malaise was the closure of the library in favour of a proposed cybercafe.

A scathing Education Review Office report led to a Government-appointed commissioner taking over after the board of trustees was dissolved.

But a new ERO report, which will be officially released next week, says "significant progress" has been made in addressing the learning needs of students.

A new senior management team is working effectively, students are "mature and motivated", and concerns over National Certificate of Educational Assessment have been addressed, the report says.

Commissioner Dennis Finn, who has largely led the school through the changes, said it was a different place than 18 months ago.

At that time there were divisions among staff and in the community.

"All those problems have gone away and a report like this gives a sense of justification for what we've done," Mr Finn said.

Mrs Annan left in August last year amid questions over the school's perfect exam results and accusations of a financial conflict of interest with her role at private company Cambridge International College.

In October that year, Education Minister Trevor Mallard dissolved the board of trustees after an ERO report found they were incapable of getting the school back on track.

The latest report tells a different story.

"The commissioner, senior staff and associated committees have worked diligently and skilfully to establish effective policies and systems," it says.

A strategic plan for the future was in place, work was on-going toward the appointment of a new board of trustees and students were fully engaged in learning.

Crucially, significant property developments had taken place, including a new information centre and library. The report also recommended several areas where more work was needed.

They included literacy development for Year 9 and 10 students, professional development for teachers and plans to improve Maori student achievement.