PUPILS and staff at Millthorpe School in York are celebrating raising standards at their latest Ofsted inspection.

The school in South Bank had an inspection last half-term and received a “good” rating, meaning the school has moved beyond the “satisfactory” judgement it received at its previous inspection in 2007. Inspectors found the school had developed greater choice in the curriculum since the last inspection.

As The Press reported in December, Millthorpe’s head teacher Tony Wootton resigned because his recovery from illness had taken longer than expected.

He had been head teacher at the school, in Nunthorpe Avenue, since September 2002 and he had been on sick leave since September 2009. Mr Wootton’s achievements at Millthorpe included it being awarded specialist language college status, as well as specialist status in science.

The current interim leadership arrangements at Millthorpe, made possible by a partnership with Fulford School, saw Steve Smith, the head teacher of Fulford School, take over the reins at Millthorpe in October last year after becoming “executive head teacher” for both schools.

Speaking about the report, Mr Smith said: “This is a well deserved accolade and reflects the hard work and dedication of all members of staff at the school, both teaching and support staff, alongside the positive attitudes and efforts of Millthorpe’s youngsters.

“The Ofsted framework has changed since the last inspection of the school in December 2007 and the bar was raised considerably. Consequently, to move from “satisfactory” under the old framework to “good” under the current one is a reflection of all the efforts made by Mr Wootton, the senior leadership team, staff and governors since that time.

“Certainly I have been very impressed since becoming executive head teacher with the general quality of teaching, the commitment of staff and the behaviour of our young people, as recognised in the report where it states students “have a strong sense and understanding of right from wrong”.

“Once more, this provides further evidence that “all York schools are good schools” and that the state sector in York is a beacon of excellence nationally.”