A rural high school is 'good and improving' thanks to the 'unwavering resolve' of the principal, Ofsted inspectors have said.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Flegg High School who have recently had a good Ofsted report.The Student Leadership Team with Principal Dr Simon Fox.Picture: James BassFlegg High School who have recently had a good Ofsted report.The Student Leadership Team with Principal Dr Simon Fox.Picture: James Bass (Image: Archant Norfolk © 2016)

Shortcomings in science flagged up two years ago are well on the way to being resolved at Flegg High School in Martham which has been rated as good overall and in all main areas.

The judgement sees the 807-pupil school, which became an academy in September 2013, leap from 'requires improvement' and heaps praise on staff and pupils.

Singled out for the loudest applause was principal Dr Simon Fox who the report states refused to opt for 'quick wins' bringing in changes that were 'well thought out and deep rooted.'

A new curriculum which no longer requires pupils to take GCSE's before they were ready was among improvements delivering better results, according to the report.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Flegg High School who have recently had a good Ofsted report.Head Girl Isabelle Haddow and the Student Leadership Team with Principal Dr Simon Fox.Picture: James BassFlegg High School who have recently had a good Ofsted report.Head Girl Isabelle Haddow and the Student Leadership Team with Principal Dr Simon Fox.Picture: James Bass (Image: Archant Norfolk © 2016)

Following their two day visit at the beginning of last month inspectors gave a glowing summary of what they witnessed and were extremely complimentary about the behaviour of pupils they tagged as 'exemplary.'

Using works like 'effective', 'industrious', 'highly-dedicated', and 'purposeful', the report had mainly good things to say about the school saying issues raised in the previous report had been eradicated for current pupils.

On the downside a small minority of the most able pupils said they were not always challenged effectively.

Meanwhile further catch-up work is needed in science although great strides have been made and many students say it is now their favourite subject.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Flegg High School who have recently had a good Ofsted report.Head Girl Isabelle Haddow and the Student Leadership Team.Picture: James BassFlegg High School who have recently had a good Ofsted report.Head Girl Isabelle Haddow and the Student Leadership Team.Picture: James Bass (Image: Archant Norfolk © 2016)

Pupils were said to be 'incredibly helpful' when inspectors visited and noted the lack of graffiti and general aura of respect for the school site.

Hailing the report and all the progress Dr Fox said: 'This is a significant achievement for our school, and recognises the hard work and determination of all the staff and governors, as well as the efforts of our fantastic body of students and their families.

'It demonstrates that we are truly building a community to be proud of, one that aspires to be the best it can be.'

'Inspectors recognised the key role that leadership at all levels has played in reaching this standard, and highlighted how improvements had been seen in many aspects of school life, from supporting disadvantaged students to collaborating with external partners who push us to be better. '

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Flegg High School who have recently had a good Ofsted report.The Student Leadership Team with principal Dr Simon Fox.Picture: James BassFlegg High School who have recently had a good Ofsted report.The Student Leadership Team with principal Dr Simon Fox.Picture: James Bass (Image: Archant Norfolk © 2016)

Dr Fox added: 'There is so much still to do, and so much still to improve. We are not perfect, but we know we have strong foundations now, based on well thought out and deep rooted strategies. We want to create a school the whole area can be proud of, which does more than just offer support from 8.30am to 3pm. It's not the ideal educational landscape right now for that, but we think it matters, and so we will keep building partnerships, challenging ourselves, and working with others to be the best we can be, and then to be even better.'

To get to 'outstanding' the school needs to continue its focus on science, provide better contact channels for parents, and challenge the most able pupils, among other things.