A BOLTON school once labelled a failure by education watchdogs has been named as one of the most improved in the country.

Secondary school performance tables published today show that Withins School in Breightmet has doubled its GCSE success rate during the last four years.

The number of pupils achieving five A*-C grades has gone up from 18 per cent in 2002 to 36 per cent in last summer's exams.

The Department for Education's figures also show overall improvement across the rest of Bolton's schools.

More than half of the pupils taking GCSEs achieved five A*-C grades.

The improvement in results at Withins means the school is no longer languishing at the bottom of the Bolton league table.

And headteacher, Phil Mather, has vowed the school will be competing for the top spot among state schools in the next three years.

He said: "We have a 'Can do' attitude in school and the target we have set for 2009 is attainable.

"The success is down to self belief, tackling low aspirations and raising morale among staff and students.

"We can get to the top of the table, not against Bolton School but against similar schools. We can win the race."

The school was placed into special measures in June, 2003 after government inspectors deemed it to be a failing school.

Mr Mather became the sixth headteacher at the school in almost as many months when he was appointed 18 months ago.

The school was eventually taken out of special measures in January of last year.The school is now 145th in the national table of the most improved state secondary school schools

Mr Mather said that in September 2005, the school had set up a "research team" to improve ways of teaching and learning. He said the commitment and self-belief of staff impacted on pupils' performance.

He added: "The signs are there that results will improve further next year, our target is to reach the top of the tables by 2009.

"We will carry on pursuing that goal and then look for the next target to achieve. We will keep pushing ourselves forward."

Chairman of Governors Jim Sherrington said that turning Withins School around had been hard work, but very "worthwhile".

We had problems with attendance and behaviour which needed addressing. It was a very hands-on approach in solving these problems, we had to work together with teachers and parents.

"The best thing is we got Mr Mather who has had experience in dealing with issues like this."

He added:"The school is a different place now, a different environment."

Headboy Andrew Barnby, aged 15, said he had seen a massive change in the school in the five years he had been there.

"It is a lot better. There is improved behaviour and it is a lot safer environment. Pupils are supported through various schemes and feel positive which makes them achieve more.

"The head makes us believe that we can do it, which makes a big difference."

Bolton Council's executive member for children's service, Cllr Martyn Cox paid tribute to both Withins School and George Tomlinson school at Kearsley, which has also showed year-on-year improvement.

Former head, Val Malcolm left the school in March 2003 and was replaced by seconded replacement Dr Chris Gerry, who had to leave just months later when his school in Kent burnt down. His replacement, John Murphy, left for "personal reasons" within weeks of starting the job.