A troubled Bradford school is already beginning to turn itself around after celebrating exam success.

More year nine students at Immanuel CE Community College, in Thackley, have this year passed their Key Stage Three SATs than last year.

And leaders at the school, which was placed under special measures, today said this was thanks to the hard work and dedication of staff and pupils.

In Maths 62 per cent of students passed, compared with 46 per cent last year, a rise of nearly 50 per cent.

In science 53 per cent passed, compared to 46 last summer, and English saw a rise of almost 50 per cent with four out of ten passing.

The school went into special measures in May after Ofsted gave it a damning report.

But today headteacher Brenda Hadcroft said the figures were testament to what was being done to improve performance. "We have had a drive in place to move things forward and make it better," she said. "The results are a real credit to the staff, students and parents.

"We looked at our exam results and looked at what we could do to put it right and it has paid off with tremendous results.

"The Ofsted report had a devastating effect and we all had to turn away from it and move on because it was very, very painful."

Students took part in extra lessons before and after school, holiday sessions and booster classes in core subjects with the Key Stage Three strategy team at Education Bradford.

Sessions were also given in school which focused on how to approach the exam papers and how to answer questions.

Assistant headteacher Judith Brown said students were also encouraged through verbal

support. By telling they can do it and helping students have belief in themselves has helped with their confidence," she said.