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A ONCE-failing Kidd-erminster high school has undergone a sensational turnaround in just two years - with a massive 61 per cent increase in the number of pupils.

Parents who would not have considered sending their children to Harry Cheshire High School a few years ago are now confidently packing them off to the re-named Baxter College.

In the school's Milestones Report, statistics reveal startling achievements since "superhead", Dave Seddon, arrived in 2003 and set about building a team of quality teachers and attracting additional funding to boost resources.

When the former Kidderminster Harriers player took the helm after 12 successful years at Wodensborough High School, Wednesbury, the Kidderminster school was facing special measures.

Staff were demotivated, the school relied heavily on supply teachers and, with just 420 pupils - many of whom were disaffected - children from the catchment area were being sent to other schools in droves.

Today it is a vibrant, busy school, bursting with energy and enthusiasm, having attracted an extra 257 pupils and 43 new members of staff.

Numbers in the sixth form have soared by an astonishing 375 per cent - from 23 to 110 students - smashing the previous record number of 48.

The number of pupils gaining five or more A*-C GCSEs has rocketed by 170 per cent over the two years.

This year has seen a five per cent increase in the A-level pass rate and the attendance rate has improved by 2.5 per cent - to 87.5 per cent.

There have been numerous individual successes, with 27 pupils gaining 10 or more A*-C GCSE passes this year, including one who achieved 15.

In the latest results, all but eight pupils achieved greater than their anticipated score at GCSE and only two youngsters left without qualifications, having found jobs and left early. Previously, more than a quarter of pupils were leaving without qualifications.

Three pupils have been presented with Princess Diana Memorial Awards for achievement against the odds. Others have featured on television and local radio, and gained Duke of Edinburgh Awards.

In the 12 months before Mr Seddon's appointment there were 104 temporary or permanent exclusions - that figure fell to six in the last academic year.

Mr Seddon won the coveted title of West Midlands Headteacher of the Year 2004 and creative arts curriculum leader, teacher, Rosie Moss, was runner-up in the Secondary Teacher of the Year Awards this summer.

Mr Seddon has attracted numerous grants and secured donations of spare equipment from more well-heeled schools and vastly improved the resources and accommodation available to the pupils.

The icing on the cake came when Baxter re-opened last month as a designated business and enterprise specialist school.

"I'm a catalyst and started the snowball rolling - now everyone is pushing it," said Mr Seddon.

"We have quality teachers, responsive kids, and the support of parents who took quite a leap of faith."

In two years, the school's examination results have improved by 20 per cent but are still 20 per cent below the national average. Mr Seddon is determined to keep up the pace of improvements to reach his aim of making Baxter world class and certainly the best in the county.