South Craven School, in Cross Hills, near Keighley, is celebrating gaining the best possible grade awarded by a team of official inspectors.

Following a two-day visit, the Ofsted inspectors rated the school as “outstanding”, the highest of four grades used to assess schools’ performances.

South Craven achieved the rating in all of the key areas scrutinised by Ofsted, including achievement of pupils, quality of teaching, behaviour and safety of pupils and leadership and management.

South Craven head teacher Dr Andrew Cummings offered his congratulations to pupils, parents, staff and governors.

He said: “The Ofsted team met with students from all year groups, and one of the highlights for me was hearing the inspectors report back on how positive the students are about their school.

“Staff have found the experience of waiting for the inspection very stressful, and the two days were intense. The judgements represent the culmination of five years’ hard work. It is a real privilege to lead such an amazing team.”

The inspectors said: “The school’s exceptionally well-informed head teacher and senior team lead by example, and their vision for how the school is to move forward is shared by all staff.”