STAFF and pupils at Cradley Heath’s Ormiston Forge Academy are celebrating after the once struggling school gained a “good” from Ofsted.

The high school, which became part of the Ormiston multi-academy trust in 2012, was deemed to “require improvement” by inspectors the following year.

But last month they found there had been rapid improvement – resulting in 51 per cent cent of pupils gaining five A*-C grades, including English and Maths last summer.

Ofsted judged the school “good” in its leadership and management, quality of teaching, learning and assessment, personal development, behaviour and welfare, outcome for pupils and sixth form.

Inspectors said principal Andrew Burns had played a “significant role” in bringing about the improvements due to his “tireless determination to ensure that every pupil has the opportunity to succeed”.

They added: “Pupils enjoy teaching that is consistently good or better in nearly all subjects.”

The inspectors recognised the school had narrowed gaps in achievement between disadvantaged pupils and others, although challenge for the most able was inconsistent, which meant they did not make the progress they could.

GCSE results have shown “consistent and marked” improvements since 2013 and better teaching in maths – which was criticised in the last Ofsted inspection - means pupils are making good progress in the subject.

Inspectors praised the Success Centre which is designed to ensure vulnerable pupils are given every opportunity to thrive, providing “highly effective” emotional, social and academic support.

Mr Burns said the success was down to team effort, adding: “We have high expectations of all our students to work hard, play hard and look smart. We provide a school environment that inspires students to become confident individuals and independent learners.

“Our students and parents have a sense of pride in belonging to Forge and our sponsor, the Ormiston Academies Trust.”

Inspectors said to become “outstanding” Ormiston must make more rapid progress in maths, improve teaching of the most able pupils and enhance key stage 3 assessment.