AN inner-city Bradford primary school recently named best in the North has now been rated as outstanding by Ofsted. 

The education watchdog visited Copthorne Primary School in Great Horton last month, giving it the top rating overall and in every inspection area. 

Inspectors described the school, on All Saints Road, as “vibrant and inclusive” and said there are no limits on learning. 

A report said: “Leaders, staff and pupils relentlessly strive for the very best in all they do. 

“There are no limits on what pupils can achieve, both academically and personally.

Leaders have exceptionally high expectations of staff to develop and nurture pupils’ skills, talents and interests. As a result, pupils value their time in school and are engrossed in their learning.”

Inspectors highlighted the description given by one pupil, who said he was “drawn to school like it is a home from home”.

The report said pupils love going to school and there is a “consistently high standard of education”.

“Without exception, pupils say that they feel safe in school,” inspectors said.

“They know that adults in school care for them. Staff have high expectations of pupils’ behaviour. Pupils have a secure understanding of what good behaviour looks like.

"They say, and school records show, that bullying is extremely rare.

"Pupils believe that adults will help them should any form of bullying or discrimination occur.”

Behaviour throughout the school was “exemplary” and pupils were said to be “highly engaged and motivated”. 

The report comes just weeks after the Sunday Times School Guide for 2022 named the school as the best in the North.

Executive headteacher Christabel Shepherd and head of school Stephanie Ngenda said of the Ofsted report: “We are delighted that inspectors recognised that we have the highest expectations of our pupils and each other.

"We know that such an outcome would not be possible without the hard work, dedication and determination of our wonderful pupils, staff, and governors and the continuing support of our local community.”

Duncan Jacques, chief executive of Exceed Academies Trust, which the school is a part of, thanked pupils for their “positive attitudes to learning” and added: “Thank you to all parents for their continuing support for their children and the school and finally I would like to thank our staff for their hard work, determination and willingness to go that extra mile to ensure the very best.”