Rain or shine, parents and pupils arriving for a new day at Ryecroft Primary School, Holme Wood, are greeted in person by head teacher Eric Sykes.

He makes a point of being on playground duty at the start and finish of the school day, so parents can bring any concerns to him.

His upfront style has paid off and Mr Sykes's school has just been told by Government inspectors that it no longer requires Special Measures.

In December 2001, Ofsted published an abysmal report on the school, which said nearly half the lessons were taught badly, with a reliance on "meaningless worksheets" and pupils doing tasks like colouring in.

Staff morale was at rock bottom and pupils were bored by poor teaching and misbehaved in a high proportion of classes. The school had sunk so low, its governors raised the alarm, contacting the education authority for extra help.

After the damning report, consultant head teacher Christine Harrison began work to turn the school round and Mr Sykes was appointed in September 2002.

Results in national tests for 11-year-olds are up, and the school's walls are alive with colourful displays.

Paying tribute to his staff's "determination and grit", Mr Sykes said: "The people here are mostly the same ones who were here in 2001.

"It was a terrible report, one of the worst I have seen, but the school was already on the way up when I arrived in September 2002.

"It has been done through sheer determination. HMI have visited every term. There's been training inside and outside school, people working alongside staff, and teachers have been monitored continuously. We don't accept mediocre.

"Over time people gathered that we are in this together and thought 'we will show them'.

"Some people here have transformed themselves. Although they're very tired, morale is now good, and we're looking ahead."

The school is planning to hold a party to celebrate in the new year.