PUPILS and teachers at a York secondary school are celebrating an “outstanding” Ofsted inspection.

Fulford School with 1,360 pupils got the top grade possible in its recent government inspection which took place last month and the sixth form with 316 pupils was rated as outstanding in all areas.

The opening sentence of the report states: “What makes Fulford School an outstanding school is that it manages very successfully to promote both the academic and personal development of all its students.”

Head teacher Steve Smith said: “The report reflects all the hard work and high quality of provision that teaching and support staff have offered, and continue to offer, to young people attending Fulford School over a consistent period of time – work that has been supported over the years by the governing body who are described in the report as “able, thoughtful and very knowledgeable.”

“The parents are also very positive about the quality of teaching and are happy with the progress made by their children.”

During the inspection the team of five inspectors found that key areas where the school excels include student attainment; student behaviour and guidance and support.

Areas where the inspectors thought the school can improve include: better use of assessment to plan lessons that meet the needs of different groups of students in classes and consistently good marking in all subjects.

Lead inspector Philip Jarrett, said: “The school is very well led. The head teacher and senior colleagues have put in place an outstanding curriculum that helps pupils to do well academically as well as developing pupils’ personal and social skills and they are very well cared for. The school also looks after students whose circumstances may make them vulnerable and those with special educational needs or disabilities as well.”