SKIPTON Academy's first Ofsted since being put into special measures a year ago has been welcomed by its principal, describing it as a 'pivotal moment in the school's history'.

Richard McManus, who pledged to do all he could to turn the school round when he took over in just September last year, said: "For the first time in many years the school has a leadership team and staff who are entirely focused on delivering high quality comprehensive education to the young people of Skipton.

"We are determined that this is the beginning of a journey for the academy that will see us become the school of choice for parents and young people in Skipton."

Following the two day monitoring inspection in June, Ofsted inspector Steve Shaw said Mr McManus, ably supported by his deputy and school trustees had set about an 'urgent and systematic rebuilding of the school's ethos and performance' and that 'leaders and managers were taking 'effective action towards the removal of special measures'.

Mr Shaw said the senior leadership team had been restructured, roles and responsibilities were clearly defined, and as a result, leaders had a 'firm handle' on making the necessary improvements identified a year ago.

He continued that leaders acknowledged there was still much to be done, but that their self-evaluation was 'unflinchingly honest and accurate' and that they were 'moving the school forwards with purpose and convincing effect'.

Quality of teaching was improving, behaviour around the school was 'calm and orderly', with pupils reporting an improvement in behaviour since the last inspection.

Rates of exclusions had increased, but this was a result of a firm application of the school's behaviour policy, and expectations were that it would decline.

Attendance continued to be a problem, with rates worse than average, but there were signs the tide was starting to turn.

Mr McManus added: "We recognise that there is more to be done and we will continue to put every effort in to helping every young person at the academy achieve their full potential. It has been a great year with so many positives such as Tunstill's Men, the Polar Explorer transition events to name just a couple and I'm very pleased that Ofsted have agreed with how things have and are continuing to improve."

In his report, Mr Shaw added that the support of the Northern Lights Teaching Schools Alliance, based at Skipton Girls High School, had resulted in an improvement in teaching, and in the progress of the school.

He did however, say the action plan of the Craven Educational Trust, which has been running the school since it was made an academy in September, 2014, was not fit for purpose.

His report further revealed attempts to 're-broker' the school to another educational trust had been ongoing since last year and needed to be 'resolved as a matter of urgency."

Robert Bellfield, chairman of the Craven Educational Trust, said the trust was working hard to secure the best outcome for the pupils of the academy and was delighted to see the progress made by Mr McManus and the school.

He added: "The trust's statement of action was written in June 2017 and was not reviewed at the recent Ofsted visit. It formed the basis of working with the new principal to develop an effective school action plan and drive the improvements highlighted in the Ofsted report published this week."

He added: "The task of re-brokering an academy is the responsibility of the Department for Education through the Regional Schools Commissioner and we have been working closely with them for the last 13 months to achieve this".