A SCHOOL is celebrating a major turnaround as government inspectors today release a report praising its huge improvement since their last visit.

Last spring the governors at Miriam Lord Primary School were replaced with an interim executive board by Bradford Council after questions were raised over how well the school was run.

Around the same time the Manningham school, in Bavaria Place, was told it "required improvement" by Ofsted inspectors.

But when they returned in July, they noticed a huge improvement and gave the school a "good" rating.

The school, in one of the poorest areas of the city, teaches 480 pupils, most of whom are of Pakistani heritage and many speak English as a second language.

When inspectors visited in 2010 they rated the school "inadequate" - the lowest rating. Although performance at the school improved, by March 2013 it was still judged to "require improvement."

The latest Ofsted inspection describes leadership in the school and the pupil's behaviour as "outstanding".

It said pupils in nursery and reception made "excellent progress," adding: "Staff typically have high expectations of what pupils can achieve, and set work that motivates and engages pupils so that they learn quickly.

"Pupils are very polite and considerate, and get on very well with each other and with adults in the school. This creates an extremely positive climate for learning. There is a very strong and caring ethos throughout the school.

"The school has worked very hard and has been conspicuously successful in improving communication and links with parents."

The report adds: "The governance of the school has improved significantly since the previous inspection, and has contributed strongly to school improvement. The Interim Executive Board is highly skilled and very effective in challenging the school and holding it to account."

Head teacher Bryan Harrison said: "This report highlights the progress the school has made over the past five years; moving from a school being placed in a failing category in February 2010 to now being judged good overall, with areas of outstanding practice.

"The observations made by Ofsted reflect how I, as the head teacher, with my staff, the Interim Executive Board and all parents, have worked in close partnership to ensure that improving outcomes for children are the main focus of our work. Children feel proud to come to Miriam Lord, and this report recognises that.”

Jackie Walters, chairman of the IEB, said: "Special thanks are due to the children who are a credit to their parents and the school, and to the parents whose support and commitment have helped their children to do so well."

Councillor Ralph Berry, the executive member for children’s services, said: "This is an excellent result for Miriam Lord. All those who have worked so hard to bring about this positive outcome should be justly very proud."