THE last time Ofsted called at Hereford's Whitecross High there was trouble. Five years on things couldn't be (much) better.

Inspectors found the school - with 'serious weaknesses' in 1999 - had turned itself around; issues like leadership and management identified for action back then are now seen as strengths.

This tough test has been largely passed in public. There's little, for instance, in the latest Ofsted report that hasn't already featured in The Hereford Times.

Like the school's best set of GCSE results ever. Forty-seven per cent of candidates earned five or more grades A to C while 98 per cent left with grades in at least one subject.

There's work to be done, though, in raising English, maths and science achievement amongst girls in years 7-9.

The report salutes head teacher Denise Strutt for 'excellent leadership' as the school enters a new era, while her staff is 'highly committed' and teaches well.

Pupils played a significant part in the turnaround too. Attitudes, behaviour and personal development have had a 'significant impact' on progress.

To move forward Whitecross now, according to the report, has to match teachers to curriculum demand. There are enough of them, but inspectors saw too many serving some subjects and too few in science, music and history. Other improvements for governors and senior management to consider include computer use (not as much going on as should be) and an 'inadequate and underused' library.

Obvious accommodation problems will be resolved by the school's much-heralded shift to a new site in 2005, but serious deficiencies in science, art and music space need 'urgent attention'.