A PRIMARY school in one of Bradford's most deprived areas has been celebrating after being rated Outstanding in all areas in its first Ofsted inspection since joining its academy trust.

Barkerend Primary Leadership Academy was praised by Ofsted for its teaching, pupil progress and leadership.

It became part of Star Academies Trust in 2016, and in its last inspection as Barkerend Primary School in 2014 was rated requires improvement.

In the report, Ofsted said: “The inspirational principal is relentless in her pursuit of excellence.

“Her passion for every pupil to have the very best care and education shines through and is at the core of all decisions made.

“Star Academies Trust and governors provide exceptional support to, and oversight of, the school.

“Leaders have a very strong oversight of their subject areas and know about their priorities with great accuracy.

“Pupils make exceptional progress in reading and mathematics. High-quality teaching enables pupils to develop the skills and knowledge they need to read challenging texts and solve complex problems.

“All pupils, including those with special educational needs and disabilities, disadvantaged pupils and those for whom English is an additional language, make strong, and often rapid, progress in a range of subjects.

“The rich and varied curriculum is exceptionally well planned to develop pupils’ passion for learning. It leads to outstanding academic outcomes and ensures that pupils are extremely well prepared for secondary school.

“Pupils both value and live up to teachers’ very high expectations for learning and behaviour.

“The school’s values of service, teamwork, ambition and respect (STAR), underpin the ethos of the school. The promotion of pupils’ spiritual, moral, social, cultural and emotional development and welfare is exceptional.

“Attendance is consistently above the national average and almost all pupils have high attendance. Pupils feel safe and the school has a vigilant safeguarding culture.

“Strong leadership of the early years provision and highly effective teaching ensure that children make excellent progress from their very low starting points.”

To become even better, the school was told to ensure pupils are moved on as soon as they are ready by teachers.

Ann Winter, principal of Barkerend Primary, said: “I am delighted that our school has been recognised as ‘outstanding’ in all areas by Ofsted.

“It was thrilling to read how impressed the inspectors were regarding the quality of teaching, and the immense impact this has had on the development, outcomes and high aspirations of our children and the enjoyment they experience when attending school.

“All members of the school community were praised so highly, from how well-mannered and behaved our pupils are, to the constant support we receive from the governors and Star Academies.

“It is very pleasing that the fantastic work of our staff has been recognised and that inspectors observed that staff care passionately about both the academic and personal development of all pupils.

“I am extremely proud that the vision for the school is being realised, which is ultimately changing the lives of our pupils for the better.”

Hamid Patel CBE, chief executive of Star Academies, added: “We couldn’t be prouder of the school’s ‘outstanding’ status.

“It is incredibly pleasing that Ofsted has recognised the hard work and dedication of staff, governors, pupils and parents at Barkerend Primary Leadership Academy.

“Thank you to everyone who has contributed to making the school such an exceptional learning and leadership environment.”