AN independent school for pupils with behavioural problems in Bradford has been rated as ‘Good’ by Ofsted.

Training and Skills Centre, based in Accent Business Centre in Barkerend Road, Barkerend, works with children aged 14 to 16 who have been referred by the local pupil referral unit or a secondary school.

They have either previously been excluded from school, or have been at risk of exclusion.

Almost all of the 14 teenagers at the school come from disadvantaged backgrounds, but none have special educational needs.

The Good rating received at a recent inspection is a significant improvement from the last inspection in 2016, when the school was told it required improvement.

In the report, it said the school’s headteacher Jacqueline Plumtree is has a vision to “foster pupils’ well-being and achievement in a safe environment”, and her attitude motivated other staff.

It said: “Staff feel valued and supported by the headteacher and work closely as a team.

“They have a proper focus on the needs of each pupil.

“The headteacher and staff have a detailed understanding of pupils’ learning and wider needs.

“They monitor pupils’ progress and development closely, and use a wide range of information to personalise the

curriculum, ensuring that pupils are well prepared for their next steps.

“Pupils develop their personal skills very well. They get on with each other positively and show respect for adults in the school.

“They behave well throughout the day, and have respect for others from different backgrounds.”

It also found teaching to be “effective” with pupils making “strong progress across a wider range of subjects”.

Ofsted said writing, speaking and maths skills are good, but reading ability is not as strong, and teachers sometimes miss chances to challenge pupils further.

It also praised the relationships between staff and pupils, and the school helps them to re-engage with education.

To become Outstanding, Ofsted said the school needs to further improve the quality of teaching, improve student attendance and reduce continuous absences, and improve its approach to reading to give students a wider range of reading material.