Maryport's Netherhall School has been removed from special measures, in what is thought to be record time.

The decision followed a monitoring visit to the school, which had been undergoing regular checks from Ofsted after failing an inspection less than two years before its latest check.

Headteacher David Tromans was delighted and proud of the result.

He said he had been told that Netherhall was the first secondary school in the country to have risen so rapidly from inadequate to good.

Mr Tromans added: “The inspectors came in unexpectedly to monitor us because we had been in special measures. After the first break on the first day, I was told that the monitoring was changing to a full Ofsted inspection.

"We learned that the report was so unusual that it was not published before 'national sampling' which meant it was both quality checked and used to see how what has happened at Netherhall could be used in other schools."

The school was placed in special measures in June 2016 following an inspection in May, just weeks after Mr Tromans arrived as acting headteacher, at which it was rated inadequate.

Following the latest visit, the inspectors credited much of the reason for the success to Mr Tromans.

The report said: “This school has been transformed in a remarkably short period of time. A new team of effective senior leaders and a reinvigorated governing body have played major roles in lifting a school that was failing.

“Staff and pupils say, without question, the headteacher has been an inspiration, giving them a belief that all can achieve.

"Throughout his tenure, the headteacher has demonstrated passion, integrity and highly skilled leadership. Older pupils proudly describe the remarkable improvements to the school. They are grateful to the headteacher and for the hard work of the staff for making this a good school.

“Pupils recognise that their prospects have been improved considerably by the much better education they are now receiving."

The report said outcomes for 2017 school leavers were improved, although still below the that seen nationally, and progress of current pupils was strong across all subjects and all abilities.

"The quality of teaching and learning is improving rapidly,” it added.

Attendance has improved with a wide range of rewards for good attendance and the report noted that staff went beyond what could normally be expected to get pupils to attend well.

It added: “However, the strongest incentive for pupils to attend Netherhall School is the better quality of education they are now receiving.

“Not surprisingly, most pupils are eager to take advantage of these new opportunities and a better curriculum. They behave very well. Management systems work well for the few pupils who struggle to behave.”

The inspectors also pointed out that 18 months ago it was doubtful that the sixth form would remain open because of a lack of students. Had had since become “the thriving heart” of the school, the reported.

Chairman of governors Jan Clarke echoed Mr Tromans’ pride and delight at the report.

She said Netherhall had always tried to do its best for its children and in the past 17 months it had “moved on enormously".

She added: “This is a really important time for the school and the community of Maryport which has supported us throughout.”

Both she and Mr Tromans thanked everyone involved including students, staff, governors, parents, local bodies, Maryport Town Council and the community.

Mr Tromans came to Netherhall 18 months ago with a desire to turn it around. But he said the good Ofsted is not the end of the story.

“I am committed to this school and I believe that, together, we can aspire to becoming outstanding,” he said.