Staff and pupils at John Masefield High School in Ledbury are basking in the praise of Ofsted inspectors.

More than half of the 177 lessons were judged to be very good or excellent during the week-long inspection in November.

Head Andrew Evans said: "Provision on core subjects was rated highly - very good in English, good in mathematics and very good in science.

"As a Performing Arts College, we're delighted that all three of our specialist subjects - music, dance and drama - were rated as excellent."

The inspectors concluded that the school had made good overall improvement since its 1999 inspection. Their report, published this week, said: "After rapid initial gains on many fronts, progress faltered during 2001 to 2003, but the school is again in a period of marked improvement.

"Standards in Year 11 are much higher now than in 1999, teaching has improved and much accommodation has been transformed, especially the sixth-form's fine new premises."

The school's achievements at A'level were praised, with results above average and rising.

"The overall effectiveness of the sixth-form is good, as a result of very good teaching," said the inspectors.

Mr Evans said that Lee Jones, the school's head of the sixth-form since September 2001, had done "a terrific job". Sixth-form achievements will be on show at an open evening on Thursday, January 27, from 6.30pm.

The report said pupils were achieving well in other years too, including Year 9, 11 and 13, although girls were generally achieving more than the boys before the sixth-form.

Art and design provision was found to be unsatisfactory, as was religious education.

The inspectors also called for more computers in the school.

Mr Evans said: "We've already started to put in place a plan to make the improvements needed.

"We're increasing our computer provision by developing a 30-station computer suite in the library. Work commenced on Monday and should be completed by half-term."