THE Academy at St James has been deemed by Ofsted to be “good” in many areas.

The two-form primary school in Allerton, which had been rated as inadequate prior to academy conversion three years ago, has now been judged as “requires improvement”.

It received four good judgments and was praised for the “rapid improvements made since becoming an academy” but inspectors said there was more to do to make sure that pupils reach the standards expected for their age across the curriculum and pupils who struggle with reading are not getting the practice they need to help them catch up quickly enough.

School leadership was deemed to be “good” with leaders described as “ambitious about pupils’ attainment” and the Bradford Diocesan Academies Trust was credited as having “secured a stable and committed team”.

Inspectors noted improvement across most areas of the school, particularly noting the “success in improving the standards in English and mathematics”.

The school was also praised for ensuring pupils have access to a broad curriculum and making reading their top priority.

Ofsted rated early years’ provision as “good”.

The inspector’s report said subject leaders, supported by senior leaders and the trust, are also continuing to make further improvements to the curriculum – particularly to support those pupils with SEN or disabilities who would benefit from more practice reading moving forwards.

It said there was good feedback from pupils and they conducted themselves well during the inspection.

Ofsted confirmed that “pupils’ behaviour has been transformed” and “staff have increased pupils’ interest in learning and eagerness to be at school every day”.

Carol Dewhurst, CEO of Bradford Diocesan Academies Trust, said: “This report is fantastic recognition of the hard work, dedication and determination of senior leaders and staff at the Academy at St James to improve the quality of education and school experience for their pupils.

“As the report acknowledges, school has been on an extremely turbulent journey and has emerged in a far stronger place. This report, coupled with a huge 27% increase in the number of pupils passing their reading, writing and maths exams in summer 2019 at KS2, means that although we still want to improve further, we are firmly and quickly heading in the right direction.

“We recognise we still require some improvements, but are pleased to have been confirmed as good in so many areas.”

Chris Tolson, headteacher at the Academy at St James, said: “The school has changed dramatically in the last eight terms and the report reflects the transformation we have seen in behaviour, attendance and attainment. I am very proud of all the children, staff and community who have supported us to improve each and every day.

“It has been a wonderful journey and we have come through the most challenging of circumstances and are now determined to keep moving the school forward to give our children the best possible offer.

“The children are fantastic, and I would like to thank all the staff for sticking together and for their commitment to providing a good education to all our pupils. We know what we need to do next and I am very excited about the next few years at St James”.