STAFF at Walkwood CofE Middle School are celebrating after the school was rated as good by Ofsted.

The school, which converted to become an academy in January 2013, was graded as satisfactory in 2012.

Since then it has shown significant improvements in all areas.

The recent report stated that all groups of students, including the disabled, those who have special educational needs, disadvantaged students and the most able, make good progress and achieve well and students’ behaviour and safety are outstanding.

It added that the quality of teaching is good and improving strongly as a result of leaders’ rigorous monitoring and high expectations and teachers have warm relationships that promote students’ attitudes.

Areas given for further improvement include ensuring pupils respond to advice they are given and to make sure all teaching, particularly in science, is consistently at least good.

Acting headteacher Joy Vater said: “The staff and pupils have worked incredibly hard and we are all extremely proud of our good grading from Ofsted.”

"Behaviour and safety of pupils and spiritual, moral, social and cultural development within the school were graded as being outstanding.

"Walkwood’s work on promoting respect, tolerance and British values was also recognised."