AS the seasons change so have the fortunes of one of Tynedale’s largest schools.

With the new school year came a brand new building for Prudhoe Community High School.

And a surprise Ofsted inspection, five days after the doors were opened came two years after the school was judged as “requires improvement”.

The high school has undergone regular monitoring inspections after being placed in special measures in 2013.

But the latest inspection has pronounced the school “good” in all categories.

Headteacher Deborah Reeman has been at the helm following Iain Shaw’s departure in February 2014.

And the report attributes the substantial improvement to good leadership and management having improved the quality of teaching.

The inspection, on September 14 and 15, found that: “The school now provides pupils in all year groups with good teaching which enables them to progress well.”

And this year’s best ever GCSE results reflected pupil’s good achievement at the school, with “exceptionally good” results in science subjects noted in the report.

The post-16 provision is well-managed and enable students to benefit from a wide range of academic and vocational subjects, with most sixth form students successfully moving on to university or their chosen careers.

Staff morale is said to be good and the behaviour of pupils was described as much better than at the previous inspection.

And the senior leadership team’s work in ensuring the transition to a new school did not disrupt learning was also acknowledged in the report.

Year 11 pupil Joe Marsh said: “It has been quite stressful for us moving school and getting used to it and the senior leadership team has helped out and been there for us when we have questions.”

Maisie James, a year 10 pupil, said: “The new building and this Ofsted report have given a fresh start for the students, teachers and everyone involved with the school.”

Louis Smith, a year 10 pupil, added: “It feels like the slate has been wiped clean.”

Areas of improvement highlighted in the report were for the school to tackle the persistent absence of a small number of pupils, ensuring teachers make maximum use of lesson time and follow the marking policy fully.

Mrs Reeman said: “There was a lot of recognition for the hard work that’s gone on over the last few years.

“We have benefited from moving into a new building, and the uniform change as well. I feel like we’re on the crest of a wave. It’s given us all a lift.

“Our aspiration is to be one of the best schools in the North-East.”