A CHURCH of England primary school with pupils who speak more than 40 different languages has been praised for how well it brings its diverse community together.

All Saints School in Little Horton is located in the inner city of Bradford, and 97 per cent of its 621 pupils are of an ethnic minority background.

Seven per cent have only recently arrived in the UK, 21 per cent have special educational needs and 40 per cent are eligible for free school meals.

But despite the difficulties facing the school, it was praised during a Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools. As well as getting a good rating, the report says the school has created "a united and caring community of learners"

Although the school is a Christian faith school, its pupils and their families come from a variety of different religious and ethnic backgrounds.

On the school's values, the report says: "They are clearly expressed as Christian values and are lived out on a day-to-day basis in the life of the school.

"Parents are unanimously positive about the school and believe that the welcome that they are given, the kindness they are shown and the care that the teachers take of their children all stem from the Christian vision and the links with the church.

"Children talk unselfconsciously and with confidence about their faith and without exception can see the benefits of being in a multi-faith community. They enjoy learning from each other and are confident that their beliefs are respected.

"Behaviour in school is very good and relationships are strong with a positive attitude of mutual respect. Friendship groups among children cross racial, faith and linguistic barriers.

"Collective worship is eagerly anticipated by children and staff and seen as a time when the school gets together to learn about each other’s beliefs. All children are included in a daily act of worship and understand that they can respond through prayer or reflection in their own way."

The report says one pupil told an inspector: "This is a Christian country, so it’s important to know what Christians believe."

Head teacher John Davie, who took over last September, said: "We're all delighted with this report and the recognition that children and parents see this school as a caring and inclusive place.

"We are a very diverse community, and the children here just get on regardless of whether they are Christian, Muslim or any other religion, or what country they come from. They all play together without any issues."

Councillor Ralph Berry, executive for children's services on Bradford Council, said: "This school is an exemplar in the district of bringing communities together to achieve great things.

"It is doing all this while facing a number of challenges and I really respect that. It shows what a school can do with good leadership and work with the community."