STAFF and students at Poole's biggest school are celebrating after inspectors said it is "rapidly improving" and rated it as Good.

Ofsted inspectors heaped praise on the Wimborne Road school just 18 months after it was graded as Requires Improvement.

Head teacher Paul Gray, senior leaders, pupils, parents and governors were all consulted during the two-day Ofsted visit, carried out by a team of senior government inspectors.

Mr Gray, who took up his post just three months after the school received a damning report in June 2015, was singled out by inspectors who said he has "introduced a sharp, systematic and effective focus on raising the quality of teaching and learning."

They said he is well supported by senior leaders, they praised GCSE results and said pupils, particularly those who are disadvantaged, make strong progress.

The report adds: "Teachers know the pupils very well and are adept at providing for their welfare. Pupils of all backgrounds feel welcomed and included."

Inspectors said attendance has improved and is now in line with the national average and they said governance of the school has improved.

Mr Gray said: "Being new to this school when it required improvements, it was important to build on the school’s significant strengths. All teachers in the school believe that students learn best in an atmosphere where they are happy, cared for and enjoy being challenged.

"Inspectors shared the view that the school is succeeding with ‘innovative and creative activities which challenge pupils to think deeply.’”

He added: "It was gratifying that inspectors saw that ‘the principles of equality, dignity and respect are genuinely at the heart of our work’.

"Being an inclusive and genuinely comprehensive school, it was gratifying that inspectors saw that ‘the principles of equality, dignity and respect are genuinely at the heart of our work’."

Last year Poole High was placed in the top quarter nationally for the progress made by A level students.