AN academy that works with permanently excluded secondary-aged young people in Bradford has retained its 'outstanding' Ofsted rating.

Bradford Alternative Provision Academy, which works across sites in Fairweather Green, Eccleshill, and Saltaire, was inspected by the watchdog in April of this year.

In a glowing report, inspectors said: “School leaders, trust leaders and governors have a shared understanding of the important role the school has in changing pupils’ opportunities in life… and their dedication and action to remove any barriers to attending school is reflected in pupils’ improved attendance”. 

The report added: “Pupils are very positive about the difference the staff here make for them… and they value and respond positively to the high expectations set”. 

Inspectors recognised that “pupils value and respond positively to the high expectations set".

They said: "This is seen in the quality of their work, their knowledge contributions to lessons, their attendance, and their behaviour."

Headteacher Richard Bottomley said: “We are delighted that inspectors recognised that we have the highest expectations of our young people and each other.

"Such an outcome would not be possible without the hard work, dedication, and determination of our wonderful young people, staff, governors, and support from Exceed Academies Trust.

"Our staff engage and develop long-lasting relationships with our young people that facilitates an ambitious curriculum and enables every young person to make fantastic progress.”  

Dean Woodward, chair of the Local Advisory Board, added: “The 'outstanding' grade awarded by Ofsted is a truly excellent achievement for Bradford AP Academy, and is a testament to the hard work and deduction of the full team.

"Everyone involved strives to improve the life chances of the young people who attend.”

Duncan Jacques, CEO of Exceed Academies Trust of which the school is a part of, said: “I would like to thank the young people for their positive attitudes to learning, respect for one another and their conduct throughout the school day.

"The staff have a deep understanding of every young person and I want to thank them for their hard work, determination, and willingness to go that extra mile to ensure the very best provision is available.” 

Exceed Academies Trust and Bradford Alternative Provision Academy also run the Department for Education’s funded Alternative Provision Task Force programme, which inspectors recognised as “making a huge difference for pupils”.