OFSTED inspectors have given Settle High School and Community College a glowing report.

Governors and staff are delighted with the findings of the OFSTED team which visited the school in October.

"This is a good school," reported Michael Miller, who led the inspectors. "Standards are above average. Teaching and learning are good throughout the school."

Special mention is made of the "excellent working relationships between students and teachers" and the way in which the school encourages the personal development of its students. There is also praise for the attitude and behaviour of the pupils.

There are positive comments too about the quality of teaching as well as recognition of the leadership by the headteacher and deputy headteacher. The inspectors also commented on the level of commitment shown by the governors and their active involvement in school life as well as the fact that parents are positive about the school. Parents also appreciate the high expectations of its students and their good progress.

The school is regarded as promoting "a secure environment where bullying seldom occurs" and where the atmosphere is "civilised". The "very good provision for students with special educational needs" is acknowledged as is the progress which they make.

The post-16 education is seen as effective with consistently good teaching results.

Points highlighted for improvement were systems for monitoring and evaluating performance, unsatisfactory provision in music, implementation of the English, maths and ITC strands of key stage three, provision for preparing students for life in a contemporary, multi-cultural society and the requirements for teaching RE are not met.

These points will form the basis of the governors' action plan.

Headteacher Trevor Wear said: "This is an honest and fair document; we have received a very good report. None of the issues raised are new to staff or the governors and none of the key issues identified are too problematic.

"Everyone involved has worked hard to ensure that we have received a report that is objective and fair. We all knew that this was a good school. The report emphatically confirms it."