Wheatley Park headteacher Kate Curtis said she was delighted at today's GCSE results.

The school was put under special measures last year but saw 59 per cent of its pupils gain five or more A* to C grades including maths and English today.

That figure is up from 50 per cent last year and 42 percent in 2006.

Ms Curtis said: "We are cautiously celebrating good progress today.

"We're pleased with the journey and the progress we have made, but there's still more to come.

"You never stand still as a school, but for today we're very pleased and there are lots of happy smiles on pupils' faces which is what it's all about."

She added: "We've got a very big team approach, we believe very much that everyone has a part to play.

"We've concentrated on a couple of things.

"Making sure every lesson is powerful and effective, and detailed tracking of achievements and aspirations so nobody gives up. We want them to believe in themselves so they can achieve what they want to achieve, sometimes against the odds."

Ms Curtis said the school was determined to continue to improve.

She said: "We will be inspected again in the autumn and will be scrutinised at every turn.

"Our priority is to maintain and progress for the foreseeable future. We are aiming for at least 65 percent (of students gaining five A* to C grades including Maths and English) next year and think we will achieve that.

"There's definitely the capacity for more here. We've got great pupils, talented teachers and a great spirit."