GRADED "good" and heading for "outstanding" next time - that's the upbeat message on a Poole secondary school which 15 months ago was tagged "inadequate".

Carter Community School at Hamworthy had been given a Notice to Improve by Ofsted in 2006, which said its now 370 pupils aged 12 to 16 were not getting a good enough education.

A re-inspection in February rated the school "good" in virtually every category and the report said it had made enormous strides in tackling the issues raised.

"The school can justifiably take pride in rising standards and improved achievement," said the report. "Key to the school's rapid improvement has been the determination of the headteacher and staff to create a culture of success and achievement."

GCSE results in 2007 were the highest in the school's history and are set to improve further this year. The school is in the top 25 per cent nationally for progress made, in the top one per cent for progress in English and is a Lead Literacy School.

The 33-strong school council, co-ordinated by Kristy Lidgard was praised as an important forum for discussion and giving the students a voice.

Headteacher Judy McBlain, whose leadership was praised in both reports, said they were "absolutely thrilled" and the only way now was up.

"We will be working to try to shift us from good' to outstanding' in three years' time when Ofsted return. It's a really exciting target to be working towards," she said.