STAFF and students at Bournemouth’s Bishop of Winchester Academy are celebrating after receiving “a huge vote of confidence” from government inspectors.

Ofsted has graded the school good with outstanding features and praised its “great progress” and “outstanding leadership.”

Inspectors spent two days at the Mallard Road school earlier this month and concluded achievement of pupils and quality of teaching is good, with behaviour and safety of pupils and leadership and management receiving the highest grade of outstanding.

In their report they said: “Most students make at least good progress from very low starting points. An increasing number makes outstanding progress.

“Students’ behaviour is outstanding – this is a huge success for the academy. The outstanding curriculum has a significant impact on increasing students’ attendance and enjoyment of learning. The Principal provides the academy with outstanding leadership.”

Principal Paul McKeown, pictured, received the report this week after pupils had broken up for the summer holiday but has contacted parents with the good news.

He said: “Everyone associated with the Bishop of Winchester Academy is absolutely thrilled with this excellent Ofsted report. It recognises that this is a great school.

“This report has been achieved through the hard work and dedication of both staff and students. We are very proud of this achievement. This will provide the springboard to even more success as we move in to our new buildings in September and look forward to welcoming our first sixth formers.”