A school that was in special measures before being taken over by an academy chain is celebrating a huge turn around in its fortunes.

Dixons Manningham Academy on Wood Street came into existence in January 2015, when Bradford-based Dixons Academy chain took over Springwood Primary School.

At the time, the school was in special measures after being rated inadequate. When Springwood was visited by Ofsted in late 2013, inspectors said: “The majority of pupils leave the school without the skills needed to succeed at secondary school.”

The school had been performing so poorly that the Department for Education had called for it to be taken out of council control and forced to join an academy chain.

Dixons Manningham Academy has just had its first inspection, and Ofsted has declared the school good in every category.

The report points to “significant” changes in staff since the school became an academy and says weaknesses in teaching have been addressed.

The academy has 415 pupils, and most speak English as an additional language.

Praise in the Ofsted report includes: “Pupils’ outcomes have improved rapidly since the inception of the academy, and the vast majority of pupils now make good progress across the school. This is because most teaching enthuses pupils to learn and succeed.

“The many pupils from different countries, heritages and backgrounds relate well to one another, and the school operates as an inclusive and cohesive community.

“The principal, senior leaders and governors show high expectations of all pupils and staff. As a consequence, pupils receive a good education at Dixons Manningham.

“The unwavering determination of the principal to improve the quality of teaching and learning has shone through.

“Teachers and teaching assistants are good role models for pupils and promote positive and respectful relationships.

“Staff are proud members of the school.”

The school is also praised for its governance, and its early years

Principal, Terri Leighton, said “There has been considerable improvement in the future chances for all the children that attend Dixons Manningham, not just in terms of changes to the facilities, but also in terms of the care and passion that are now prevalent within the school.

“Our staff and governors all work extremely hard to improve the life chances of the children, who have have all risen to the challenges of our high expectations, they really are a credit to the school, their parents and the local community.”