A ONCE failing secondary school is now being hailed as ‘outstanding’ by education watchdogs.

Ofsted inspectors have awarded Ulverston Victoria High School with the top grade just three years after they placed the 1100 pupil school into ‘special measures’.

This is only the second time a school in the UK has improved on such a dramatic scale in the past five years.

Assistant head teacher Roger Cahalin said: “We’re all absolutely delighted at the outcome of the inspection and it was an all round effort from not only the teaching staff but support staff, parents and governers.”

In 2007 the school was slammed for its inadequate leadership and management, the quality of teaching and learning and standards achieved.

But inspectors visiting the school in March found it to be outstanding in almost every area and commended the ‘inspirational’ leadership of head teacher Dennis Fay who took over the reigns in 2008.

Inspector Patrick Geraghty wrote in his report: “The head teacher has galvanised the work of all leaders and managers in the pursuit of improvement.”

He also praised the school’s improved GCSE results which at 65 per cent A* - C inc English and maths in 2010 are now far above the national average.

Sixth form provision was found to be outstanding and the quality of careers guidance ‘beyond outstanding’ and creating a highly aspirational culture among students.

Praise was also given to the students for their behaviour and their ’exemplary contribution to the establishment of a harmonious and caring school community’.

Mr Cahalin added: “We are now a very popular school with a record entry for the sixth form in September, but we don’t intend on becoming complacent as we know the result is a spring board for us to explore new things.”

Ulverston Victoria High School joins Dallam School, Cartmel Priory, Kendal College, Dowdales and Kirkby Stephen Grammar School in the growing number of ‘outstanding’ schools in the region.