THE new Ladybridge High School is set to rise like a phoenix from the flames of its struggling predecessor, the Deane School, Education Secretary Ruth Kelly says.

The Bolton West MP made her prediction when she joined a celebration to mark the official opening of the school in Armadale Road, Bolton, on Friday.

Ms Kelly was among guests who were treated to a display of youngsters' talents including displays of Indian dancing, basketball, languages and pop singing.

Afterwards, she said she had great confidence in the future of the school.

"The school has got great leadership and there is a new belief in all the children. It has everything going for it," she said.

The Deane School was put into special measures in 2001 when Ofsted inspectors found it was failing to provide an acceptable standard of education.

It was subsequently decided to close last May and reopen it as a different school - Ladybridge High - last September.

Pupils were involved in the revamp and even designed the new uniform, which is red and black.

Since reopening, the school has enjoyed many successes, including getting International school status and sports college status, which will be made official in September.

Cllr Carole Swarbrick, executive member for education on Bolton Council, said the success was partly down to a unique partnership with Rivington and Blackrod High School, forming the Brook Learning Partnership.

She said: "Deane School had its difficulties but they are now firmly in the past -this is the start of something new and exciting."

The new headteacher of Ladybridge, Jo Gabler, also hailed a "remarkable turnaround".

She said: "Today shows how far we have come since the school was in difficulties.

"It was an opportunity for people to see the talents that exist among our pupils."

Ms Kelly, who had been up all night in the House of Commons debating the anti- terrorism bill, cut short her trip to Greater Manchester.

She had been due to have cut the first sod of the £75 million sports village in Leigh and launch the Usdaw national carers campaign in Horwich.