Inspectors praise 'worst' school

The school was praised for its improvements

A school in Halifax once dubbed the "worst in the country" is out of special measures and has been highly praised by inspectors.

The Ridings School gained notoriety in 1996 when staff claimed pupils were unteachable and violent in lessons.

However, a report by Ofsted inspectors published on Friday ranked the school as "good" in most areas.

Despite improvements, the school will close in 2009 and no new students have been admitted to the school this year.

The comprehensive school was put into special measures last year by Calderdale Council after a damning report by Ofsted.

Recent success

At the time, inspectors said attempts to improve the school had been scuppered by a core of teachers who refused to accept change.

It was thought the school would remain in special measures until its closure but inspectors said it was no longer required.

The new report said: "The Ridings School has been transformed and is now providing a good education for the students."

Ofsted added that the school no longer suffered with poor attendance, bad behaviour from pupils and "inadequate teaching".

Councillor Craig Whittaker said the school's recent success had come at a price and plans to close it would still go ahead.

He said: "The Ridings School, over the years, has had an incredible and disproportionate amount of money and resources.

"Far more than any other schools in Calderdale and that is the bit that is unstable."