DELIGHTED head teacher Andy Cunningham has thanked staff, governors and students at The Lakes School for their hard work after it received a resoundingly positive Ofsted report.

The Troutbeck Bridge school was adjudged to be a ‘good’ school in all areas by Ofsted inspectors following their visit in November, in which they further reported that the school is a “welcoming and happy place to be where pupils feel safe”.

“We are particularly pleased that the inspection team were impressed with our ambitious and engaging curriculum which reflects the dedication and expertise of staff and governors,” said Mr Cunningham.

Everyone at The Lakes School was especially pleased as the school had been graded as ‘requiring improvement’ after previous inspections in May 2015 and May 2017.

Following two very positive interim monitoring reports, the school community is delighted to be starting 2020 as a ‘good’ school.

“Sustainable school improvement takes time,” said Mr Cunningham.

“We have enjoyed a strong partnership with parents, the wider community and the South Lakes Federation who have provided us with a great deal of support on our journey to becoming a good school.

“Inspectors could see that leaders and governors put pupils at the heart of what we do and this is essential to our work as an inclusive school.”

Chair of Governors Bill Smith has been an integral part of the school’s journey since joining the governing body in 2015.

“It was always recognised by governors that the school had a complex journey to make to achieve the status now awarded by Ofsted,” said Mr Smith.

“Those of us close to the school have been witness to those developments over the last few years.

“The fact that this work, led by our head teacher and supported by our teaching, support staff and students, has now been recognised marks a tremendous start to 2020.

“Believing the school to be good is one thing, seeing it recognised officially lifts the bar for our existing recognition as a truly inclusive and welcoming community school providing a good quality of education.”