A STRUGGLING school has been transformed into a good school within two years.

Ofsted inspectors have told The Chase in Malvern that it is now a good school and outstanding for its sixth formers.

The news marks a dramatic change in fortunes for the school which was told in 2014 that it needed improvement.

Richard Jacobs, headteacher of The Chase, said: “We are thrilled that Ofsted has recognised the reformation we have wrought at The Chase.

"We adopted a new moral imperative of ensuring that all of our students, regardless of background, could enjoy a happy and successful life.

"We took the school on a bold journey of change.

"We now have official recognition that our journey has been a successful one."

Inspectors said teaching at The Chase was now good with pupils making good progress in nearly all subjects.

GCSE results showed the proportion of pupils achieving at least five good GCSE grades, including English and mathematics, was exceptionally and consistently high - and expected to continue this year.

The proportion of pupils securing A* and A grades at GCSE was also much higher than the national average in many subjects including English, mathematics, geography, and modern foreign languages.

Pupils were also said to be exceptionally well prepared for the next stage of their learning, leaving the school with qualifications and learning behaviours well suited to the demands of further education or training.

Inspectors found pupils received excellent impartial careers information, advice and guidance throughout their time in school.

Leaders were said to have exceptionally high expectations for the quality of teaching with high-quality training and mentoring for teachers in place.

Senior leaders also had a robust understanding of the school's strengths and weaknesses and had worked hard to improve the school.

Pupils were described as well-behaved, punctual and well prepared for lessons.

Although rates of exclusion of pupils from the school were usually low, there had been more suspensions this year as a result of higher expectations for pupil conduct.

Learners were also described as making outstanding overall progress on 16–19 study programmes thanks to high quality teaching and an excellent curriculum.

Inspectors said the school was not yet outstanding because there was still a small amount of teaching where the quality of teaching and learning did not consistently meet leaders’ expectations.

Also, disadvantaged pupils were also not making as good progress as their peers - something the school needed to concentrate on.

The school said inspectors had indicated to them that The Chase was at the top end of the good bracket and only narrowly missed being regarded as outstanding.

Mr Jacobs added: "Well done to everyone at The Chase! We are all very happy and very successful!”.