In February 1994 Northicote School, situated in a deprived area of Wolverhampton, was the first in the country to be named and shamed, OFSTED called the school appalling in almost every way . Then Geoff Hampton took over as head - five years later he was awarded a knighthood for transforming the fortunes of this failing school; and its pupils. This book presents key points from the five year programme and shares successful strategies with other heads, governors and teachers.