INSPECTORS believe GCSE results at a Bradford school in special measures will improve this year, and described recent progress there as "an encouraging picture of achievement".

Carlton Bolling College in Undercliffe was placed in special measures last July, and its board of governors replaced after an Ofsted inspection last summer that judged the school inadequate.

One of the criticisms from inspectors was that pupils were not "adequately protected from vulnerability to extremism".

But on recent follow up inspections, inspectors have praised the school's improvements, including work to highlight the dangers of extremism.

The most recent monitoring inspection, which has now been made public, says: "Evidence presented on this visit suggests that in relation to attainment and progress, more students will gain at least five GCSE passes at grades A* to C and more students will make at least expected progress in English and mathematics.

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"Action to tackle underachievement last year in weaker subject areas, such as humanities, has started to have a positive effect on students’ learning." Highlighted reasons for improvements include better quality teaching and smaller class sizes in English and Maths.

However, the report does highlight that sixth form achievement was poor, and that it had not been a priority for the school. It says the leaders were starting to remedy this situation.

Discussing how the school has been tackling the concerns about extremism raised in the previous report, inspector Michael Maddison said: "There has been a continued commitment to promote British values, tackle extremism and prevent radicalisation. Students recognise the importance of this work and have commented that they have found this work thought provoking.

"During the monitoring inspection, inspectors observed an uncompromising assembly delivered separately to students in Year Ten and the sixth form, which explored the dangers of current Middle Eastern extremism and why it was important for young people to learn about these issues.

"Students’ behaviour in lessons and around college continues to improve."

Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, the Council's executive member for education, skills and culture, said: “I'm pleased that this report confirms Carlton Bolling College is now on the right track.

"Ofsted has identified various key improvements, including rising standards at GCSE level, attendance and behaviour. The school’s work on safeguarding and citizenship comes in for particular praise.

“There's more hard work to do, but the school's leadership team is well placed to meet this challenge and make sure the students benefit from the improvements being made.”

Head teacher Adrian Kneeshaw said: “I am pleased that Ofsted has recognised the rapid improvement at the school, which is down to the hard work and dedication of my excellent staff team.

"We are sure this upward trajectory will continue in our ambition to make the school the very best it can be.”