A SCHOOL where pupils "feel happy and safe" has been judged to be good by the Government’s education watchdog.

Bolton Islamic Girls School in Great Lever has been lifted out of the requires improvement category following an inspection by Ofsted.

Inspectors reported: “Pupils feel happy and safe at Bolton Islamic Girls School.

“Pupils know that leaders expect the best from them in all that they do. Pupils make every effort to realise leaders' ambitions for them to become proud, British, Muslim young women. They work hard, developing confidence and self assurance.”

Teaching is said to have improved, with staff having ‘strong’ subject knowledge with some having high-level qualifications in their subjects.

“As a result, pupils build their knowledge effectively and achieve well,” stated inspectors.

Pupils were described as having positive attitudes to their work, and their good behaviour means they learn well.

Inspectors said: “Pupils have high attendance, considering the effects of the pandemic.”

And they found that the students were well placed to move to the next stage of their education.

Leaders were found to support staff effectively and manage their workloads.

Headteacher Dr Zakia Maqbool said: “Amongst all the other pressures this year due to Covid, this is an amazing achievement for our school. Especially, given we got a requires improvement in November, 2019.

“Since then staff and governors have worked tirelessly to ensure our school is a school that continues to be able to facilitate the needs of our learners.

“The community have again supported our school and this is an outstanding achievement for us.”

She added: “Our school suffered deeply with Covid, whereby students and staff – four out of 12 – had to deal with the loss of close family members due to Covid.”

But Dr Maqbool said they stayed dedicated to the teaching of young people.

The headteacher said the improvements were also thanks to the community, staff, governors and the learners.