School improves after 'turbulent' time

A Bradford school has improved since its last Ofsted inspection despite enduring "a turbulent time".

Bradford Girls' Grammar School was given a requires improvement rating by Ofsted in July 2022, partially due to poor behaviour at the school.

A previous inspection in 2019 also rated the school as inadequate due to safeguarding concerns.

An Ofsted inspection found pupils at the school were "achieving" more than before and gave it a good rating for the first time since 2015.

"The school has been through a turbulent time since the previous inspection," Ofsted said.

"The school has joined Bradford Diocesan Academies Trust, the primary and secondary school have separated from each other, staff turnover has been high, and a new leadership team is in place.

"Despite this turbulence the school has continued to improve.

"Pupils are achieving better than they were."

In 2022, Ofsted had found "for secondary-age pupils behaviour in lessons is not dealt with consistently by some teachers" and that "lessons are affected by this".

Two years before that, the school was told its safeguarding needed to change.

"Urgently amend safeguarding practice, so that all allegations about staff of a safeguarding nature are handled in accordance with statutory guidance and all necessary actions are taken," a report read.

Safeguarding has been effective since 2022 and now all areas of the school - including behaviour and attitudes - are rated as good.

Caroline Foster, headteacher at Bradford Girls' Grammar School, said: "We are pleased that Ofsted recognised how special our school is and how everyone is working tirelessly to ensure that the girls receive an exceptional all round education.

"Our girls our phenomenal and they should be extremely proud of this achievement."

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