BRADFORD’S Carlton Bolling school has been named as one of the most inspirational in the nation at a prestigious awards ceremony. 

The school, in Undercliffe, fought off thousands of nominations to be named Secondary School of the Year at the Pearson National Teaching Awards, dubbed the ‘Oscars’ of the teaching world.

It marks another leap forward for the school, which has undergone a major turnaround after hitting rock bottom back in July 2014.

It was put into special measures after a damning Ofsted report - among the criticisms were that it “failed to give attention to potential risks posed by extremism”.

It made national headlines, and led to the entire governing body being fired and replaced. But since then, the school has gone from strength to strength and is now rated as ‘Outstanding’. Earlier this year, it was awarded the World Class Schools Quality Mark, which recognises work done at the school to improve students’ prospects.

World Class Schools said at the time: “Carlton Bolling students demonstrate time and time again how well-rounded and prepared they are for the next stage of their lives.”

The school also came to prominence due to its team of young female cricketers. It was set up in the wake of the 2014 Ofsted report and over the years, the girls had to overcome barriers from within their own community, as well as rivals on the pitch.

But they racked up an impressive raft of achievements, from being crowned North of England champions to picking up an accolade at the Inspirational Awards for Women.

They also appeared on the BBC Three show Bats, Balls and Bradford Girls.

Carlton Bolling was presented with the trophy at a ceremony in London this evening, in celebration of its outstanding achievement.

There’ll be a chance to catch the moment on Saturday (October 26), when the awards ceremony is broadcast on BBC Two - look out for ‘Britain’s Classroom Heroes’ at 5.30pm.

It comes as new research, published by the Teaching Awards Trust, shows the impact that teachers can have in promoting teaching as a career to the next generation. The research found that 48 per cent of teachers entering the profession across Yorkshire and the Humber were inspired to do so by a teacher.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said: “To win one of these awards, against such strong competition from thousands of talented teachers across the UK, is an outstanding achievement and testament to the passion, skill and dedication of Birmingham’s very own winner.

"Since starting this role, I have been struck by how much brilliant work is going on in our classrooms."

The Pearson National Teaching Awards is an annual celebration of exceptional teachers, founded in 1998 by Lord Puttnam to recognise the life-changing impact an inspirational teacher can have on the lives of the young people they teach.