A GROUP of neighbouring primary schools that joined forces to help drive up standards for thousands of pupils are now all rated ‘good’ by Ofsted.

Peel Park Primary, which previously required improvement, became the tenth and last of the primary schools in the BD3 Achievement 4 All partnership to receive a ‘good’ rating after a recent inspection.

A special school, a secondary school and two children’s centres in the east of the city are also part of the link-up.

Delius Special School, Barkerend Children’s Centre and Mortimer House Children’s Centre are all rated ‘good’, while Carlton Bolling College is rated as requiring improvement.

School leaders in the partnership aim to improve pupils’ reading as they reach the end of primary school, and are also working together for improvements in science, early years teaching, and providing support for newly-qualified teachers.

Sara Rawnsley, a former head teacher in Bradford, has served as chairman of the partnership for the past two years. She said: “There is a deep commitment to work together for the benefit of everyone in the partnership.

“There are academies and Council-maintained schools, we have children’s centres, primaries, a special school and a secondary but everyone is open to working together and sharing what we do to drive improvement.

“By coming together with a shared focus for raising standards, all of the schools and settings in our BD3 partnership are having a real impact on the lives of our young people.”

Lloyd Mason Edwards, head teacher at Peel Park Primary, added: “BD3 schools have worked in partnership for a long time but in recent years there has been a real focus on improving teaching and learning and improving attainment.

“There is a shared ethos across our schools and everyone is open to sharing what we do. I do think a lot of our success is down to the partnership.

“We have worked on professional development of our staff, special educational needs teaching and working on support for pupils who are new to English.”

Councillor Imran Khan, Bradford Council’s executive member for education, employment and skills, said: “The BD3 Achievement 4 All partnership shows what can be achieved and, as both executive member for education and as a local ward councillor, I look forward to their future successes.”