AN independent secondary school has been rated Outstanding in all areas by Ofsted in its latest inspection.

Eternal Light Secondary School, in Little Horton, was praised for its “exceptional teaching”.

The report said: “Teachers teach exceptionally well across both the Islamic and the secular curriculum.

“Consequently, pupils make rapid and sustained progress.

“Leaders have acted to improve pupils’ reading and, consequently, vocabulary is widening and pupils’ reading skills are improving.

“Pupils’ personal development and welfare is exceptionally well thought out and woven throughout all aspects of the curriculum. Pupils have excellent knowledge of fundamental British values.

“Pupils are very proud of their school and conduct themselves impeccably throughout the day.

“They good progress from their starting points and achieve very well in GSCE exams.

"Post-16 pupils are fantastic role models for younger pupils. They have immensely positive attitudes to learning and are clear that they remain at the school to complete their Islamic studies courses."

Headteacher Yusuf Collector said the school is "absolutely delighted" with the result of the inspection.

He said: "All the stakeholders have worked tirelessly and now we are over joyed that our school has now been recognised as Outstanding in all areas by Ofsted.

"It was great to see how impressed the inspectors were regarding the quality of teaching, the impeccable conduct of our students and the vibrant learning atmosphere within the school.

"Our fantastic pupils, dedicated staff, visionary proprietors and supportive parents have all played a major role not just in this inspection but in the overall success of the school.”

Founded in 2007, Eternal Light provides education for up to 200 boys aged 11 to 23, with 59 per cent speaking English as an additional language.

To improve further, the school was told to ensure students apply the same standards to their spelling, punctuation and grammar in the non-religious curriculum as they do in the Islamic curriculum, and further embed the school assessment system, so the wider secular curriculum is monitored to the same high level as English, maths and science.