WHEN Halifax's The Ridings School hit the headlines in 1996, dubbed Britain's worst school, it became a yardstick for any other around the country perceived to be failing.

In Worcester - rightly or wrongly, but inevitably - The Elgar High was such a school.

Ofsted inspectors had criticised its results in maths, English and foreign languages.

But there were rays of hope in music, art and science which passed some by - the Evening News included. And there was a staff described by Ofsted as "enthusiastic and dedicated".

Whichever way you looked at it, The Elgar needed to turn its fortunes round, and quickly.

The crucial ingredient arrived in January, 1997.

New headteacher Dr Graham Watts moved quietly at first, choosing to work outside the glare of publicity that had focused on the school in its turbulent days.

He maintained that quiet approach as he transformed its fortunes - and its status - as a Technology College.

Now, five years on, as he prepares to leave Worcester for Devon pastures, he can let the results do the talking for him.

For, whatever the concerns of parents who perceive their children will have better value from going to other secondary schools, Elgar's reputation has made a 180-degree turn.

"It's wrong to consider the head as the only important element of a school - this is a team effort," Dr Watts insists today. And he's right.

But even the best team needs vision and leadership, and he has provided it in abundance.

We wish him well in his new life, as we do his successor, Tony James. He'll have a hard act to follow.