A BRADFORD secondary school has pulled itself out of special measures, with its leadership moving from “inadequate” to good in 18 months.

Oasis Academy Lister Park was found to be weak in every category in an Ofsted report released in March 2015.

But after a return visit, inspectors judged the school to have improved. Their report, released this week, lifts the school out of special measures, from inadequate to “requires improvement.”

Ian Simpson was appointed principal in September 2015 after a shake up in management, and leadership is praised by inspectors. Their report says: “The principal leads by example and is highly visible around the school. He has high expectations of staff and pupils, both of whom welcome and accept the changes he has implemented and driven since his appointment.”

“An emerging strength is the work done by the subject leaders.

“Since the previous inspection, the quality of teaching has improved considerably and more teachers are adjusting their initial plans to meet pupils’ needs.

"Staff morale is high. The vast majority of pupils welcome the good improvements that are evident in the school since the previous inspection.”

The report says that while things have improved since the last inspection, when it was judged inadequate in every category, the schools still needs to improve in relation to quality of teaching, learning and assessment, personal development, behaviour and welfare, outcomes for pupils, and post 16 study programmes.

Mr Simpson said: “We’re moving in the right direction.

“I think that because of the rapid progress we’re making we could be outstanding by the time of our next inspection, which will probably be Autumn 2018.

“We have had a staff restructure and we have a sustainable model that will enable the school to improve.”

The school has in the past had numerous empty places, but Mr Simpson said it was now oversubscribed in Year 7 and Year 12.

He added: “Increasing numbers are a sign that the community is recognising the school is now delivering a good education.

"We don't want local students feeling they have to go across the city to another school to get a good education.

"We want to give them the confidence they can get that from their local school.

"As the report notes we have work still to do, and as a school we are all more committed than ever to supporting every one of our young people to make the excellent progress that they are capable of and to help them reach their full potential. Rest assured that there is no complacency in transforming the academy into the outstanding school that this local community so richly deserves."

A community hub at the school invites parents and local residents to the academy to get involved in coffee mornings and similar events.

MORE EDUCATION HEADLINES