A BRADFORD secondary school is celebrating after improving its Ofsted rating from 'requires Improvement' to 'good'.

Tong Leadership Academy, on Westgate Hill Street in East Bierley, was inspected by the education watchdog on October 18 and 19.

The school, which has 797 pupils aged between 11 and 19 on its roll, received the second-best rating in all four categories.

The report noted the school’s curriculum is "highly ambitious" and "outcomes for pupils are improving".

The school’s work to support all pupils to develop their reading and nurture a love of books was also praised.

However, inspectors said: "Pupils’ attendance at the school is not as high as it could be. This means that some pupils miss important learning.

"Leaders should ensure that they quickly enact targeted strategies designed to improve pupils’ attendance."

They added: "Bullying and discriminatory language are rare. The school takes any concerns or worries that pupils have seriously."

The report also recognised the strength of the work that takes place to prepare pupils for life in modern Britain, through its personal development programme.

Inspectors said: "Leaders, including those overseeing safeguarding, work together to ensure that they adapt the personal, social and health education curriculum to take account of local issues and events. This helps pupils to remain safe."

Dan Styles, principal at Tong Leadership Academy, said: “Securing a ‘good’ Ofsted grading is a significant achievement for the school and the wider community.

"It is testament to the hard work and commitment of our wonderful pupils, parents, staff and governors.  

“We hope this provides parents and carers with confidence that the steps taken and measures implemented by the leadership team and Star Academies are leading to improved educational provision for our young people.

“Whilst we rightly celebrate and recognise the importance of this milestone, we remain focused, determined and ambitious in our pursuit to achieve an ‘outstanding’ level of education for our young people.”

Councillor Matt Edwards (Greens, Tong) said: "This is great news for Tong Leadership Academy and testament of the great work being done by Mr Styles and the team to improve the education they provide young people in the south of the city.

"It's great to read that pupils are proud to attend Tong.

"As a ward councillor I recently met with their student council and it was great to see the freedom they were being given to work on their priorities for the school and the surrounding community.

"They really deserve this Ofsted report."