A once-failing school in Dudley now nationally recognised as a beacon of improvement is celebrating its 50th anniversary. To mark the milestone, Hillcrest School and Community College is compiling a book featuring highlights from its history.

The school, in Simms Lane, Netherton, was once a poor performer with only 17 per cent of pupils having gained five GCSEs at grades A to C and in 2000, it was placed in special measures. But it enjoyed an amazing reversal of fortune when superhead Dame Mo Brennan took charge.

Within six months of her arrival the school was out of special measures and GCSE results have risen steadily with a previous record of 48 per cent.

Hillcrest, which continues to go from strength to strength, has also been in the top four per cent of “value added” schools in the country and Mrs Brennan was made a Dame in the Queen’s 2005 birthday honours for her services to education. She left last year to take up a new post at Walsall’s Barr Beacon Language College.

The new principal of Hillcrest, April Garratt, said it was an exciting time to mark 50 years of teaching at the school and firmly believes it will continue to flourish. “I have a passionate belief in a child’s right to education in a good school,” she said.

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A once-failing school in Dudley now nationally recognised as a beacon of improvement is celebrating its 50th anniversary. To mark the milestone, Hillcrest School and Community College is compiling a book featuring highlights from its history.

The school, in Simms Lane, Netherton, was once a poor performer with only 17 per cent of pupils having gained five GCSEs at grades A to C and in 2000, it was placed in special measures. But it enjoyed an amazing reversal of fortune when superhead Dame Mo Brennan took charge.

Within six months of her arrival the school was out of special measures and GCSE results have risen steadily with a previous record of 48 per cent.

Hillcrest, which continues to go from strength to strength, has also been in the top four per cent of “value added” schools in the country and Mrs Brennan was made a Dame in the Queen’s 2005 birthday honours for her services to education. She left last year to take up a new post at Walsall’s Barr Beacon Language College.

The new principal of Hillcrest, April Garratt, said it was an exciting time to mark 50 years of teaching at the school and firmly believes it will continue to flourish. “I have a passionate belief in a child’s right to education in a good school,” she said.

“Hillcrest has dedicated teaching staff that are highly-qualified and experienced and it is their contribution that helps make Hillcrest what it is.

“The school, through its Training School status, is committed to continuing its investment in the recruitment, retention and development of the best teachers and support staff, as it is only through them, that we can deliver the best results for our pupils, their parents and the wider community.

“Many of our pupils have the academic ability to go to university but at Hillcrest, we are committed to ensuring that there are high aspirations for every pupil.”

As well as an anniversary booklet, a concert is being arranged for later in the year, as well as a visit by Dudley South MP Ian Pearson.