WOODHEY High School has had the perfect Christmas present from education watchdog Ofsted.

The specialist science college has been given an official ‘good’ rating, just 12 months after being handed a notice to improve.

Inspectors praised the school’s hard work in raising standards, adding that several areas could now be classed as outstanding.

The whole of Ramsbottom was stunned at last year’s poor rating: Woodhey has long been one of the most in-demand schools in the borough, over-subscribed and with good results.

Ofsted says that significant progress has been made in tackling the slow progress of some learners.

“The governors, head teacher and senior leaders have made a determined and successful effort over the past 12 months to tackle the areas for improvement,” say inspectors. “In particular, they have tackled inadequate achievement at both key stages.”

Exam and test results were well above the national average, and demonstrated good year-on-year improvement.

Teaching and learning was good, and pupils were benefitting from closer monitoring and being set challenging targets, with progress in some subjects classed as outstanding.

Pupils’ personal development was outstanding, said Ofsted. Attendance figures were well above average, and students enjoyed coming to a school which was a “happy community”.

“This is a school that is characterised by a high degree of mutual respect and a strong commitment to inclusion,” said the inspectors. “It is a safe and harmonious environment in which all are encouraged to engage and develop.

“Students’ behaviour is outstanding. Healthy lifestyles and participation in numerous extra-curricular activities are encouraged and enthusiastically embraced by students.”

Mr Martin Braidley, headteacher, said: “We felt that last year’s overall judgement was unfair, but rather than sit around and lick our wounds, we said we are going to pull the stops out and show them next time what a good place this is. Fortunately, the parents and people who know the school were incredibly supportive.

“To come out of a notice to improve and get a report that is good with quite a few outstanding features is not unique but it is rare: especially when the school was a building site for months, with no roofs on corridors and no dining room or kitchen.

“We want to be rated outstanding at the next inspection, that’s our target.”

Mr Braidley welcomed the report’s praise for the pupils and their hard work and positive attitude.

He added: “As a head teacher, you do question yourself when somebody says they are not happy. But the support from parents, past parents and pupils has been phenomenal, and this has justified their faith in us.”

Ofsted made two recommendations: that the school should have greater consistency in marking so that students know how to improve, and make sure that lessons are sufficiently challenging and stretching.

Ofsted report card (grades are outstanding, good, satisfactory, or inadequate): Overall effectiveness: good

Achievement and standards: good

Personal development and well-being: outstanding

Quality of provision: good

Leadership and management: good