A Bradford school is celebrating after being removed from the "serious weaknesses" list - and has been told it is improving and on the road to success.

Bankfoot Primary, in Bolingbroke Street, had been found to have a low standard of teaching and learning, particularly at Key Stage Two, and was placed in the special category by education watchdog Ofsted in January 2003.

Head teacher Juliet Wright, who started at the school just two days before inspectors deemed it to be failing, today said she was delighted.

An inspection in January this year found staff worked well together and showed there was a good quality of teaching and learning.

Mrs Wright said: "When I came to the school and we were put into this category I was disappointed for the staff who were all extremely hard-working.

"During the past two years we have continued with that hard work and I am thrilled for them and the whole school that we have not only been removed from 'serious weaknesses', but we have also been praised on the work being done here."

Mrs Wright said the school had begun to set targets and monitor its standards shortly before the 2003 inspection and this was continuing.

As part of an action plan set up to turn the school around, teachers also started to share good practice and self-evaluation became commonplace.

The new report said Bankfoot was now an "effective and improving school whose pupils are currently achieving well".

Mrs Wright's work was praised and the inspectors said the school was becoming successful because of her "very good leadership and management" with her "clear commitment to make the school as good as it can be".

Inspectors found teachers were "very conscientious, caring and committed to the school and its pupils", while teaching assistants and nursery nurses provided "very good support, especially for pupils with English as an additional language and those with special educational needs".

The "very good" provision for pastoral care, welfare, health and safety was also identified as one of the school's strengths.

Mrs Wright said: "We are proud of this school and its achievements - particularly as the inspection identified Bankfoot as a caring and inclusive school."