OXFORD Spires Academy has been praised for its progress by Ofsted inspectors who said “good work” has been made towards raising standards.

The monitoring inspection was the school’s first visit from Ofsted since it became an academy in January last year.

In its previous guise Oxford Community School was judged to be “satisfactory” by Ofsted’s inspectors in 2010.

Observers scrutinised 24 lessons as they carried out the two-day inspection at the Glanville Road school on April 25 and 26.

In his report Ofsted inspector Daniel Towl said: “The improvements in GCSE examinations, soon after the academy opened, reflect the robust action, appropriate interventions and raised expectations from senior leaders and staff to improve teaching and learning.

“This culture of high expectations has continued to have a positive impact on students’ progress.

“The academy’s monitoring shows students are on track to do better again this year.”

Last summer’s GCSE results saw the percentage of pupils attaining five A* to C grades, including English and maths, jump from 31 to 41 per cent.

The 891-pupil mixed secondary was praised by parents who inspectors said told of their satisfaction with the continuing improvement.

But Mr Towl warned: “There is a legacy of low attainment to overcome and some underachievement remains across the academy.”

Academy status means the school has control over its own finances.

A new uniform and logo were designed, with the motto “be the best you can be” and students were divided into four school houses.

Headteacher Sue Croft said she was delighted with the news of Ofsted’s findings.

She said: “I was confident it would be good. You just need to be here to see the progress with the teaching and learning – there’s a lovely atmosphere and the students are so on side.”

She added that the positive report had boosted morale among staff and students.

“Obviously people were trying very hard to make sure it was good and we knew it was much better but to have the official stamp that it has improved is really important.”

Tony Brett, chairman of the school’s governors, said: “I’m not at all surprised by the news. I’ve been impressed by how hard everyone is working since the school became an academy. Sue is a really inspirational leader – she works people hard, but supports them as well.

“Good is never enough and everyone is always pushed in a positive way so it’s a very positive learning environment.”

Because the Ofsted visit was a monitoring inspection, no official judgment was given.

Instead inspectors sum up each school with a summary word – broadly in line with the usual rating system – which for Spires was “good”.

The change to an academy caused controversy in 2010, with opponents launching a campaign to block the switch.

A petition against the plan, which attracted 599 signatures, was presented to the council.

The school became Oxford Spires Academy in January 2011 in a bid to drive up results.

Sponsored by the CfBT Education Trust with Oxford and Cherwell Valley College and Oxfordshire County Council the academy’s finances and curriculum are free from local authority control.