THE head of a Bradford school, described as outstanding in some areas just over 18 months after opening, says the enthusiasm of staff and their close relationship with pupils is one of the secrets to its success.

Oastler School in East Bowling opened in September 2013 and was built for pupils with additional educational needs. In March it was given a "good" rating after its first inspection by Ofsted, and head Lyndsey Brown believes the school will only get better.

Based in a specially built building on Flockton Road, the school currently has around 63 learners from across the district, and is working towards its capacity of 80.

The Ofsted inspection found that pupils behaviour and the leadership of the school were outstanding, the highest possible grade, and Mrs Brown believes the school was only a whisker away from getting an overall outstanding.

She said the opening of the school, which saw an entirely new staff come together in a new building, was challenging, but the staff and pupils soon added a soul to the building, making it an important part of the community.

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"It is a brilliant, new building, it was great that the council found the money for it. It is a beautiful site and we are very fortunate to have it.

"We have 63 learners at the moment, and I think we'll be full by September. They all take a lot of pride in the building. You don't see any graffiti or damage, and they have created some beautiful wall displays. You see the young people here have a real pride in their community. This school is a really happy place, and we have fabulous links with parents and carers."

A Friends of Oastlers group helps strengthen links with the local community, as does work with groups like West Yorkshire Police.

As well as state of the art classrooms, the school also has impressive sports facilities, and offers its learners the chance to take part in a wide variety of sports. There has also been several residential trips, with pupils visiting Catterick Garrison and Ypres, as well as cultural trips to local theatres.

A new, science, technology, engineering and mathematics department has just opened, and visitors regularly visit the school to give presentations and offer pupil's advice into how to get into these fields.

And a "sanctuary" within the school offers a place for pupils to get away from the pressures of everyday life.

The inspectors' report into Oastler found it outstanding for its leadership and management and for the behaviour and safety of the pupils. It found the quality of its teaching and the achievement of its pupil as good.

It says: "Throughout the school and together with the governing body, leadership and management are outstanding. The school is improving very quickly indeed, with some aspects already outstanding.

"All groups of students make the expected progress or better in English, mathematics or other areas of study.

"The excellent relationships promoted by staff encourage students to attend school regularly and take part productively in lessons.

"The quality of teaching and achievement is never less than good and is improving rapidly."

Mrs Brown said: "It is all down to the relationships we have here. I can't express how committed our staff here are.

"We are very much about preparing our learners to be citizens of the future."

The school's first GCSE pupils started their first set of exams yesterday, and a six form will open in the school in September.

She said while staff had been confident they were doing a good job in the school, having an external body like OFSTED confirm it was satisfying for the staff, and great news for the pupils.

Year 11 student Jordan Ambler said: "It is a wonderful school. It is probably the only school I've come to that I've enjoyed." Callum Marshall, who is also sitting his GCSEs this year, said: "It is really good here. I enjoy it."

After the report was released, Councillor Lynne Smith, Chair of Governors, said: "I have been privileged to have been part to the governing body for Oastler from the very beginning before the school was even built. It was an honour to be part of the appointments panel for the head teacher and many other staff. I was delighted to be elected to chair the governors as the school became established.

"It is almost impossible to say how very very proud I am at the recent good report from Ofsted. To get a report so good after four terms is exceptional. I know the school has a bright future and will go from strength to strength from here.”

Michael Jameson, Bradford Council’s Strategic Director of Children’s Services, said: "This is a fantastic outcome for Oastlers. All students, staff, governors and parents/carers who have worked so hard to achieve this positive result should be justly very proud.”