A SCHOOL which won a campaign against closure has now been praised by inspectors for its high-quality teaching, "determined" leadership, and pupils who are "eager to learn".

An Ofsted report says Trentham High has gone "from strength to strength" since coming out of special measures two years ago.

More than three-quarters of lessons are now good and some teaching is outstanding. Spurred on by strong support, pupils make good progress and are well-behaved, confident and "proud" of their school.

Inspectors were also struck by the students' impressive contribution to school life, ranging from acting as prefects through to working with heads of department so they can help improve individual subjects.

The latest report, which rates Trentham as good overall, has been published 10 months after Stoke-on-Trent City Council dropped plans to close the school as part of a secondary reorganisation programme.

It also marks headteacher Sue Chesterton's swansong, because she retires in April. Her successor Anne Martin, who is currently deputy head at Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, in Ashbourne, Derbyshire, will take up the post after Easter.

Mrs Chesterton said: "I can't think of a better school to finish my career in. It's been an absolutely magic four years here.

"The Ofsted report is what we've all worked for. No matter how bad the school had been, there was a great will to get it back where it should be.

"It has been every member of staff, parents and the wider community. We've had tremendous support. I think the school will go on to be outstanding."

Mrs Chesterton had initially only been drafted in for a term in 2006 to help turn around the school. But when Trentham's future was thrown into doubt, she decided to stay on and delay her retirement plans.

She said: "Going through special measures brings a school together. When we went through the threat of closure after that, we tried to keep focused. The message to staff was to concentrate on the children and the classroom.

The report says Trentham High now "puts students at the heart of everything it does". It also credits the senior leadership with ensuring "no stone is left unturned" in trying to make it better.

Jayne Woodroffe, chairman of governors, today paid tribute to Mrs Chesterton.

She said: "She has completely turned the school around and is inspirational."

The inspectors also found the 600-pupil school offers good value for money, has a wide curriculum, and is held in high regard by parents who "fought vociferously" to save it.

Julian Teed, from Trentham, was a member of the Save Trentham High Action Group and now sends his 11-year-old son there.

He said: "I'm delighted with the inspection results. It proves why everybody in the community fought so hard to keep the school open.

"My son has settled in extremely well. I'd like to say a big thank you to Sue Chesterton and her team for sticking in there."

The school's community spirit has also had knock-on benefits for staff recruitment.

Mrs Woodroffe added: "For a school of Trentham's size, you might have six applications for a headship. We got 51 expressions of interest, which turned into 35 applications."

Successful candidate Mrs Martin, who used to teach at Thistley Hough High, in Penkhull, said: "I had heard quite a lot about the school. I'm absolutely delighted to be able to be Trentham's next headteacher."