ONE of Blackburn’s top schools has retained its ‘Good’ Ofsted rating after becoming an academy.

St Wilfrid’s CE Academy was praised by Ofsted inspectors for pupil achievement in English, maths and a range of subjects.

It it the first time the inspectorate have scrutinised the school since the controversial move to become an academy in 2011.

The school was also commended for improving teaching and achievement in English following a dip in GCSE and AS level results last year. The inspection team said the Duckworth Street school’s older pupils in particular were good role models with ‘exemplary’ behaviour. Lead inspector Gillian Salter-Smith said: “Achievement is good and students reach above-average standards of attainment in many sub jects.

“Sixth form students are especially good role models for younger students. The vast majority of sixth-form students move on to university courses.

“Students take on many responsibilities and are very good ambassadors for the school. Students’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is strong.”

The inspector also praised leadership and management at the school.

She added: “Leaders at all levels, including governors, have a good understanding of the academy’s strengths and priorities.

“They have maintained good standards of attendance and behaviour.

“Alongside a clear focus on improving students’ achievement, the academy provides very good care and support, especially for the more-vulnerable students.”

The school is said to have narrowly missed out on becoming outstanding because the sixth form requires improvement.

Inspectors found there was too much variation in achievement and in the quality of teaching between subjects.

The inspection team also said not enough teaching was outstanding, with pupils learning too passively in a few lessons. No inadequate teaching was observed during the insp ection.