PUPILS and staff at Ilkley Grammar School are celebrating after receiving a glowing report from an Ofsted inspection team.

According to the report: "Ilkley Grammar School is a very effective school. Pupils' attainment is high. Results in external examinations both at 16 and in the sixth form are well above the national average, and have continued to improve each year since the last inspection."

Head teacher Peter Wood said: "I'm delighted with this report. What it shows is that, in the aftermath of reorganisation, standards at the school are not only being maintained but are also improving.

"As always in such reports, there are areas identified for further attention, but the school and the governing body are aware of these issues and have already begun formulating plans to address them.

"The inspectors appreciated that many were a direct consequence of consistent under-funding of the school."

Michael Noble, chairman of the governors, said: "This is an excellent report. It is a tribute to the hard work of staff, students and governors. It is one of which the school can be proud and it provides an excellent platform for further development and improvement."

The inspection took place from April 22 to 26 and was a combination of a short inspection of pre-16 education and an 'enhanced' review of post-16 provision.

The school was allowed a short inspection of pre-16 education because of its previous good track record in inspections.

In the report Mr Wood, who retires in the summer, and his staff of teachers come in for high praise from the inspectors. Mr Wood's job will be taken over by Gillian James, who is currently head teacher of a school in Lancashire.

The Ofsted inspection comes at a time of disruption caused by a major transition at the school as a result of Bradford's school reorganisation from a three-tier system to a two-tier.

This has meant pupil numbers increasing to around 1,500 and the grammar school operating a split site system, using the former Ilkley Middle School site on Valley Drive as its Lower School. When major building work has been completed at the Cowpasture Road site, all the pupils will be taught there.

There have also been problems with funding at the school, which resulted in extensive negotiations with education authority officers to work out plans to reduce a large budget deficit.

Ofsted inspectors commented on the reorganisation saying: "The leadership of the head teacher has been particularly crucial through the difficult period, helping to keep the school focused and to sustain high standards."

The report adds: "Teaching is of a high standard throughout the school. The head teacher and senior staff provide clear educational direction. The management of pupils and of the learning process is very effective."

Following the last inspection in February 1997, governors drew up an action plan at the school to address the issues which needed to be improved.

The latest report says that improvements have been made in managing special educational needs pupils, providing opportunities for pupils' spiritual development, and increasing the number of computers.

As with all Ofsted reports, there were areas of school life which needed improving, according to the inspectors. There are still too few computers for the pupils, and not enough vocational courses. Inspectors also found health and safety areas which needed attention.

The items needing improvement will form the basis of the next governors' Action Plan at the school.