CARLTON Bolling College won the School Improvement Award, capping an incredible turnaround for the school in recent years.

Just over two years ago the school was in special measures after a damning Ofsted report that cited safeguarding concerns. Late last year it was judged Outstanding by inspectors – making it one of the best schools in the district.

The Ofsted report said: “All staff and pupils share the headteacher’s highly aspirational vision for the school. They are absolutely committed to being successful and working as one community to achieve their ambitions.

“Pupils’ behaviour and attitudes to learning are exemplary. Pupils want to come to school and want to learn, and they work hard to achieve all of which they are capable.”

It also praised principal Adrian Kneeshaw’s “highly aspirational vision”.

The school also achieved some of the best Progress 8 scores in Bradford in last summer’s exams, and recently opened boxing and cricket academies.

Its girls’ cricket team has won a number of awards and made national headlines in the past year.

The award was accepted by Tony Griffith, who runs the school’s boxing academy. He said: “The boxing helps teach youngsters about positivity and life skills.

“The school has had a lot of bad publicity in the past five or ten years. We’ve done a lot to tackle this and turn things around.

“Sports can help eliminate negative thoughts and boost positivity. It can really help young people improve their education if they set their mind to it.

“We’re using a lot of ways of engaging pupils that you might not consider normal for a school to do.

“Young people all learn in different ways, and using sports is one way of engaging those who might struggle in their learning.”

Honorary Mentions

Bowling Park Primary

Parkwood Primary School