STAFF and students at a Lower Gornal secondary school are celebrating after being rated as being outstanding following a recent Ofsted inspection.

Inspectors who visited Ellowes Hall Sports College last month rated the Stickley Lane school with the top grading in all four areas, which includes the achievement of pupils, quality of teacher, pupil behaviour and leadership and management.

Headteacher Andy Griffiths, is also praised in the report for securing “rapid improvements” because of his “very high ambition and drive”, following its last inspection in 2008 when the school was rated as “good”.

Chair of Governors, Geoff Marsh, said: “We are delighted that the work of everyone involved in achieving such an accolade has been recognised.”