A BROMSGROVE school placed in special measures has now been graded 'requires improvement'.

North Bromsgrove High School received a damning Ofsted last year which saw headteacher Angelina Robin-Jones resign in the wake of the controversy, and numerous staff leave.

That report said standards had "been too low over time" and pupils were "not making strong progress in a range of subjects".

Fast forward a year and following a recent inspection the school, lead by its dynamic new headteacher, has managed to pull itself out of special measures in just nine months - thought to be record time.

Nick Gibson, who took up his role as head in October after running St Benedict’s in Alcester, was quick to praise staff as well as students for the quick turnaround.

The recent report rated the school's overall effectiveness as requires improvement, with some aspects being good.

Inspectors noted many positives in the report, identifying particular strengths across personal development and welfare, leadership and management and 16 to 19 programmes in which they judged these areas to be good.

Inspectors noted "decisive action since the last inspection has secured improvement in many aspects of the school’s work" and acknowledged that the "quality of teaching is improving".

Furthermore, inspectors identified that there has been a "significant improvement in pupil’s conduct" and said pupils "wear their uniform with pride".

The report added although key improvements have been secured across the school, there is much more work still to do.

In a letter sent out to parents this week Mr Gibson said that the Ofsted report highlights the transformation taking place at the school.

He also said it offers the chance to not only recognise the successes of the last 11 months but to have absolute clarity about how the school can continue to progress.

"I am pleased that the Ofsted report acknowledges the hard work of staff and students and the support of our parents, carers, friends and our Interim Executive Board (IEB), as well as articulating the rapid progress that our school has made over a short period of time," he said.

"We look forward to continuing to build on our successes on our journey to outstanding; watch this space."

Anja Potze, chairman of the IEB, said they are "delighted" with the rapid progress of the school.

"The IEB would like to thank all of the parents/carers for their support and congratulate the students and Nick Gibson and his staff team on their success. We look forward to seeing the school build on its new-found strengths," she added.