THE headteacher of a school formerly at risk from closure has done such a good job he has beaten national competition to secure the post permanently from September.

Tom Revell was appointed to Kidderminster's crisis-hit Sladen Middle School, Hurcott Road, in Easter 2001 as "seconded" head for four terms while still remaining in charge of his Redditch school.

Sladen is a "special measures" school which means it has two years to improve or face closure, yet by last autumn government inspectors were praising the progress made under Mr Revell.

Julien Kramer, Worcestershire's director of education, said: "This post was advertised nationally and Mr Revell had to apply in exactly the same way as everyone else. The permanent position was not just handed to him. I wish him every success."

He added: "Mr Revell was seconded after a request from the school's governors. He is an outstanding head with a proven record.

"He has worked really hard and done extremely well."

The school is still in "intensive care" but inspectors have declared that if the current rate of progress is maintained it will cease to be a special measures school by this summer, six months earlier than planned.

Mr Revell, 50, of Pershore, was invited to take up the challenge of turning round Sladen by Worcestershire LEA and the school's governors after his success at another under-achieving school in Redditch.

After the government inspectorate's latest visit - termly visits are part of special measures status - Sladen's "effective team leadership" and "strong sense of direction" were praised.

"There's no reason why we can't be the equal of any school in Kidderminster or Worcestershire," said Mr Revell.

He added: "The children have been fantastic and the staff have worked very hard. The parents have been excellent and the governors very supportive."