School standards inspectors have said pupils' personal development at a special school is good, but warned its sixth formers needed more preparation for life.

The Ofsted report for Bolling Special School, in East Bowling, showed subjects and lessons for pupils aged seven to 11 were good, but the inspection revealed several areas were not up to scratch.

Today, head teacher Susan Gill said these would be addressed as part of the school's improvement plan.

Inspectors said students in years ten and 11 were ill-prepared for life after school.

"We are delighted with the report and it's down to a lot of hard work by staff, parents, pupils and everyone connected with the school," said Mrs Gill.

"We are looking at improving areas which weren't as good as they could be and we want to offer the best facilities as possible."

Bolling is one of ten special schools in Bradford due to close in 2006 to be replaced with five new purpose-built schools.

"Parents, pupils and staff have reacted positively to the closure and the main issue is that the right facilities are created for the students," said Mrs Gill.

She said the closure would not stop them from making changes, and they would look at the use of classroom space to offer better science and IT facilities, and the possibility of building changing rooms.

The school has 96 pupils with a wide range of special needs.

Nearly half have profound and multiple learning difficulties, while others are multi-sensory impaired, visually impaired, have physical difficulties and autism.

"With regards to our sixth-formers adapting to life after school, we don't see this as a criticism but rather a recognition," said Mrs Gill.

"A lot of other organisations are involved, such as social services, and we also have to liaise closely with parents and the pupils themselves to work out what is the best way forward for them when they leave school."

She said although the majority went on to attend resource centres, sixth-form student Alexander Squires, 19, had won a place at Bradford College for a three-year diploma in personal and community skills.

Alexander, who has Down's Syndrome, will be starting his course in September.

Mum Lorraine Squires, who is a special needs assistant at the school, said since the age of 12 Alexander had his heart set on going to the college.

"Every time we drove past he would say 'I'm going to go there', and now he is," she said.

"He's really excited about it and we're delighted he's got a place."

She said he would be learning a wide variety of subjects to encourage self-sufficiency, including cooking, sport and how to get about on public transport.

The report also said pupils' spiritual development was good and both parents and students were positive about the school.