Clarendon College in Trowbridge has moved out of special measures, following an Ofsted inspection earlier this month.

The 1,084-pupil secondary, which was placed in the category in October 2010, has been rated “good” overall, with “outstanding” leadership.

Headteacher Mark Stenton joined the school in June 2011, with the task of turning things around.

He said: “This is a tremendous moment for all in the Clarendon community. In just 50 school weeks, Clare- ndon has been transformed and that is a tremendous credit to the amazing team of people who work at the school and our wonderful students. “To go from special measures to ‘good’ with ‘outstanding’ leadership, especially under the new and tougher inspection framework is, we believe, unprecedented.

“The whole school is absolutely thrilled. We know how much work has gone into making this a very, very strong school.

“The most important thing has been that exceptional teaching is the number one priority. The children want to do well. The children have always been great and they’ve got the school they deserve now.”

Inspectors praised the “dynamic and visionary leadership” and willingness to meet challenges.

Mr Stenton said the focus now would be on continuing the progress.

He said: “We’re constantly focussed on ‘are the lessons giving the very best for the kids?’ We’ve been awarded outstanding for leadership, now we want to get outstanding achievement and teaching.”

Steve Thompson-Martyn, the chairman of governors, said: “We have been able to look at everything we have done, why we do it and, most importantly, how we can relentlessly improve that which we do every day.”

The school will become an academy next month, which Mr Stenton believes will help drive standards higher.

The Ofsted report can be seen at www.theclarendoncollege.com