A HIGH school is celebrating after being praised in its latest inspection.

St Mary’s Catholic High School in Astley has been rated as "good" overall by education regulator Ofsted.

The score is a boost from the previous "requires improvement" ranking it was given in 2016.

The report said that there has been “significant improvements” in all aspects at the Manchester Road school including the "quality of teaching" and the "achievements of disadvantaged pupils".

It was rated good in five out of six areas; its leadership and management, quality of teaching, learning and assessment, personal development, behaviour and welfare, and 16 to 19 study programmes.

After a two-inspection in April, Ofsted noted the school "has been transformed since the last inspection as a result of intelligent and determined leadership".

The report school leaders "have skilfully and precisely identified what individual teachers and subject leaders need to do to perform to a higher level.

"Leaders have provided high quality support and guidance to enable the whole teaching body to improve.

"The ethos and culture permeating the whole school means that decisions are based solely on what is best for pupils."

Inspectors also highlighted "the welfare of pupils is taken very seriously by all staff."

"Pupils say there are many adults who they could and would turn to for guidance when experiencing anxieties or have a concern for others."

The report praises the school’s careers advice, information and guidance – "a well planned programme, which includes generous support from local employers."

Leadership of the school’s sixth form was also commended and study programmes for 16-19 year olds are "well designed so that they closely match the needs and aspirations of students."

"There is a good range of opportunities through academic and vocational courses. "Students in the sixth form are highly complimentary about the care and support they receive."

The inspecting team also commented on the strength of the governing body.

The report said: "Collectively governors have an excellent set of skills, are passionate about the school and effective in promoting a strong Catholic ethos.

"They have played an important role in the school’s improvements."

The only area which the school did not score "good" in the inspection was its outcomes for pupils, which was rated as "requires improvement".

The report, which was published on May 20, said: "Outcomes require improvement because, over time, they have not been good enough.

"The 2018 published data for Year 11 pupils indicated that their overall rates of progress fell compared to previous years."

Overall though, the findings have left the school feeling positive.

Chair of governors Jack Farrimond said: ‘Congratulations to everyone at and involved with St Mary’s Catholic High School.

"The Ofsted report is very pleasing and is reflective of the aims of our mission statement.

"It confirms the continuous quality progress that is being made at St Mary’s.

"The hard work of all staff can be evidenced everywhere and every day in school. "Equal congratulations should go to our students for their considerable achievements and to their parents/carers for their continued support."

Head teacher Andrew Dawson expressed his delight and praised staff, students and governors for all their hard work and dedication.

He added: "St Mary’s is a community and we will continue to work and grow together to improve even further."