A KEIGHLEY-district school has received glowing praise from Ofsted.

Lees Primary has been rated 'good' by the Government inspection team, which spent two days at the school in November.

The grading applies to the school's overall effectiveness and each individual category – quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision.

It was the first time the school had undergone an Ofsted inspection since its conversion to an academy in 2016.

Lees Primary is a founding member of the Bronte Academy Trust.

Inspectors described the 215-pupil school as "welcoming and friendly".

"Pupils are happy to attend and wear their smart uniforms with pride," they added. "Pupils confidently share any worries or concerns with their teachers, whom they describe as friendly and kind. They feel safe in school."

The school and trust are ambitious for all the children, and staff are committed to helping them thrive, says Ofsted.

High expectations are set in relation to pupil behaviour, and the youngsters strive to live up to the school's values.

In lessons, pupils "listen respectfully to their teachers and each other" and older children "take great pride in their leadership roles", say the inspectors.

The school has a "broad, balanced curriculum that pupils enjoy" – and reading is at the heart of it.

Ofsted noted: "From nursery, teachers share a wide range of high-quality, engaging books with their classes. Children start learning phonics from the beginning of reception.

"If pupils struggle with their reading, staff are quick to provide carefully-planned, expert support to help them catch up. Staff match books closely to pupils’ reading expertise. Pupils – including those with special educational needs and disabilities – develop as fluent, confident readers. They value reading, and read for pleasure."

The school provides some extra-curricular clubs, including for sports and sewing, and there is a choir. Plus, trips and visits take place.

Leaders, including trustees and governors, ensure that most pupils attend school regularly and punctually and where necessary act to bring about improvement, say inspectors. Governors are regular visitors to the school.

School bosses welcome Ofsted's findings.

Executive headteacher, James Travers, says: "The school leadership team is delighted with the report.

"We feel it reflects the hard work of all the staff and children."

Leadership of Lees Primary is shared with its sister school at Oldfield, which itself celebrated a 'good' Ofsted rating following an inspection last year.