IN September 2004, staff and pupils set out to prove their school could more than make the grade.

Poor GCSE results, behaviour of pupils and the quality of teaching led to the closure of The Deane School and the opening of Ladybridge High on the same site.

The new school symbolised a new start, with staff and pupils determined to show that Ladybridge High would be a success.

This summer the staff and pupils — who were Ladybridge High’s first Year Seven intake — achieved their goal in spectacular style.

Eighty per cent of its students achieved five or more A* to C GCSEs, a 21 per cent increase on 2008. And the number of teenagers who had English and maths among their five was up by 10 percent to 40 percent.

Now the current Year 11 pupils have vowed to do even better in their GCSE examinations next summer.

According to the headteacher, Hilary D’Arcy the secret in improving results is not rocket science — simply knowing the pupils and creating a safe environment.

Mrs D’Arcy said: “Tracking every child’s progress is central to what we do.

“This process starts in Year Seven so we know where the pupil is up to and how they can achieve further. We challenge the pupils and tell them they can do it.”

This “can do” attitude was reinforced with motivational speeches together with different techniques in engaging children in their learning, including maths lessons followed by football and asking boys to devise a rap from the books they had read.

Other initiatives include having pupils act as health and culture ambassadors. Health ambassadors patrol the school during break times talking to pupils about any concerns they may have, while cultural ambassadors introduce their peers to extra-curricular activities.

This, says Mrs D’Arcy, helps nurture a real team spirit in the school Similar initiatives are being planned again this year — including shifting the focus on girls’ themed activities.

Young people say this year’s results will inspire them and future year 11s to work hard.

Olivia Bailey, aged 15, said: “Exam results like this make you feel really proud and we feel as if we have proved ourselves to the community.

“Everybody, even those you didn’t think would, are working hard and are determined to do well and beat this year’s examination results.”

Ben Hunt, aged 15, added: “We get a lot of support in the school, the teachers really help which makes you more determined to do well in your studies.”

Pupils say that with the support of the community, they will achieve even better results.

schaudhari@thebolton news.co.uk