“WE'RE going from strength to strength.”

At The Grange School in Christchurch they don't believe in the word “can't”.

And judging by their latest results topping the league table for the best progress throughout Dorset, this is proving a successful mantra for pupils and staff.

Led by head teacher Steve Dossett, who has been in place since July, the school forms part of a federation with fellow Christchurch secondary school Twynham.

Mr Dossett, who liaises with executive head teacher Dr Terry Fish from Twynham regularly as part of the Federation, said the set-up is important for the future of The Grange.

He said: “This school is an excit¬ing place to work. And with the Federation there are important things we can take from what Twynham does and adapt it to what needs there are here.

“This did once have a reputation as a school which didn't match up to its neighbours at Twynham and Highcliffe.

“But now, I think that perception is changing and for all the right reasons.

“Children who come here make very good progress.

“And on the back of that we as a staff and school are making progress.

“These pupils are very special.”

He added: “For us at The Grange it is about students growing as people and helping them to go onto the colleges and education that they need to go to.

“Our students are polite, articu¬late young people, whose good behaviour is commented on by people who meet them outside of the school environment.”

Year 9 students are currently taking part in a Good Citizenship scheme with local agencies includ¬ing police, fire and RNLI volun¬teers.

And recently, Young Enterprise launched their two-year One Community project to develop links with local employers.

Currently accepting around a third of the students from Bournemouth, there are plans to increase the school's intake soon - a sign that things at The Grange have seen a dramatic change in the past few years.

Last year they experienced their very best results with 79 per cent of students getting A*-C and 47 per cent of those including maths and English.

Their focus is still on improving literacy, an effort that is starting to see results with strong English results in the summer placing the school top of the county table for value added progress.

Students, who are members of either Avon, Priory or Stour house led by a director of student progress and supported by a pas¬toral team leader, can also take part in a wide range of extra-cur¬ricular activities from sports to dance and drama.

Mr Dossett added: “School life is full and varied here. We are in the middle of Rock Challenge rehearsals, our sports teams are continuing their runs of success and our production of Shrek the Musical was fabulous.”

The school is also having a new sports hall built, which is due to be completed by July.

Chair of governors, Michael Turvey said: “Every parent and student should be justifiably proud of the continuing outstand¬ing success of The Grange School.

“Pupils and staff have worked incredibly hard in order to achieve this amazing record - where students are top of the best progress in Dorset league table.”