A SECONDARY school which was judged to require improvements has now been rated as good in all areas and hailed as a “wonderful atmosphere for learning”.

While leadership and management and behaviour and safety of pupils at John Ruskin School in Coniston were already rated as good, it was the achievement of pupils and quality of teaching that were judged to being requiring improvement following the December 2013 Ofsted inspection.

In the latest Ofsted report the Lake District secondary is praised as a “warm, welcoming school where everyone feels valued, safe and secure.

“There is a wonderful atmosphere for learning. Staff and students are highly motivated to do their best, so everyone thrives.”

Inspectors said teaching and achievement had improved since the last inspection and are now good.

The report said: “Well planned professional development and opportunities to share best practice are ensuring these improvements continue into the future.

“Teachers make sure lessons are interesting and capture students’ imagination. Their enthusiastic approach is motivating, so students are attentive and engaged in their learning.”

Ofsted saw that students make “good progress” across the school and they “achieve well at GCSE”. Students were praised as “respectful and supportive of each other”.

They show consideration and are “highly inclusive” when socialising and at work.

Ofsted said: “Students feel safe and secure because everyone is friendly and all uphold the behaviour policy.

“Students’ social and moral skills are promoted exceptionally well in lessons and through the ethos of the school.”

Headteacher Miriam Bailey, who retires this summer after 18 years at the school, was praised for providing “good leadership” and Ofsted said she is “ably supported by the senior team and middle leaders, and the deputy head provides a highly effective role model for teaching.”

The report says the governors are well informed, and provide good support and challenge to leaders and a strong drive for continued improvement.

Mrs Bailey said the John Ruskin School community was “truly delighted”.

She said: “As any head will know, this sort of achievement does not happen without having an excellent team who work in harmony towards the same end.

“Team JRS are brilliant, that includes all staff, students, governors and parents. I am privileged to work with them.

“JRS is a small school which provides great opportunities to every person involved.”

Mrs Bailey said the report “truly captures the essence of JRS.”

She added: “I am so immensely proud of JRS and all it offers to our young people.

“ I am also delighted that I am passing the school over to its new headteacher Peter Blackburn, in September, in a great place, with everything to go for.”