STUDENTS and staff are celebrating after turning their school around and receiving a Good rating from Ofsted.

Inspectors visited Portslade Aldridge Community Academy (PACA) in November and confirmed in their report this week they had found it to be a Good school in all aspects of what it does.

This represents a significant achievement for the academy, which had previously been rated as requiring improvement in 2014 and 2012.

Principal Katie Scott, who joined the school 14 months ago, said she was thrilled and it was a long time coming.

The report highlighted an improvement in teaching, learning and assessment, and the good behaviour of pupils.

Ms Scott said: “We are incredibly proud of our students. We know how good they are but it is great that others can now recognise their academic achievements and the exemplary way in which our students conduct themselves.”

The Academy has seen an improvement in recent years with 63 per cent of students getting five GCSEs at grade A* to C including English and maths in summer 2015, and attendance last year was the most improvedin the city.

Now a record number of primary school parents and their children have chosen the school for 2017.

Ms Scott credited the introduction of subject awards and making the curriculum more engaging for increasing attendance.

She said: “It is about opening horizons and getting them excited about the future and the things they could possibly do. But also creating a culture of hard work and reward."

She added: “I work with a fantastic team. PACA staff are committed people who do the job because they think children should have the best life chances possible, and I’ve enjoyed the support of parents who like the firm and clear approach we give our students and how we encourage them to make the most of the opportunities we give them."

Chairwoman of governors Rosalind Turner added: "I would like to congratulate Katie Scott, all our staff and, of course, our wonderful students.

"And to recognise that this could not have been achieved without the support of parents, the community, our sponsors Aldridge Education and co-sponsors the local authority. We look forward to building on this success.”