A SCHOOL that helps turn round the lives of expelled pupils has been called "outstanding" and is credited with making significant improvements in the lives of some of Bradford's most vulnerable children.

The Bradford Central Pupil Referral Unit was praised by Ofsted for its rapid improvement in a report now made public.

It judged the school outstanding in every category, including pupil behaviour, and inspectors found that the majority of students attending the school re-engage with education and end up returning to mainstream school.

They spoke to several pupils during the visit, and said they were "struck by the high levels of trust they have in the staff".

The PRU takes students from across the Bradford district and comprises two separate sites, Aireview in Saltaire and Jesse Street in Bradford. It provides places for up to ten weeks for students who have either been permanently excluded from school or are at risk of permanent exclusion. It has 55 pupils on its roll.

Nationally only 14 per cent of PRUs are given the top judgement by Ofsted. At the last inspection the Bradford PRU was judged "good".

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Among the praise, the report says: "The whole staff is a cohesive unit as a result of the expert leadership of the headteacher.

"Students who disengage for short periods are speedily brought back to their learning because Bradford Central PRU’s policies are applied consistently and students very quickly learn to respect what the staff are doing for them and get back on track.

"The purposeful learning that prevails across the Bradford Central PRU is a credit to all staff.

"The teaching of reading, writing and number is outstanding, as is the teaching of personal and social skills.”

Trevor Loft, head teacher, said: "The report is acknowledgement for all the hard work and effort that everyone, who is involved with BCPRU, has put in. The staff, pupils and parents should all be proud of this outcome. It is clear evidence that we are making a difference for the young people of Bradford.”

Brent Fitzpatrick, chairman of the management committee, said: "This report is testament to the investment and effort of staff, students, governors and the continuing support of Bradford’s children’s services has been invaluable.

"This is a major step forward for both the PRU’s and education in Bradford”.

Councillor Ralph Berry, the Council’s executive for children’s services, said: "Staff, pupils, parents, governors and all those who have worked so hard to bring about this positive achievement should be justly very proud, especially the pupils, who, for whatever reason, have been at BCPRU, because they were not in a position to attend a mainstream school at that time in their lives."