Teachers have been praised by government watchdog inspectors for improving a St Albans academy.

Samuel Ryder Academy was previously rated as "requires improvement" by Ofsted but has now been rewarded for its progress to be placed in the second-best category of "good".

The school in Drakes Drive, which teaches 792 pupils aged four to 19, was visited by a team of four inspectors in May.

Inspector Chris Moodie said leaders have managed change exceptionally well, as the school has grown and faced the challenges of providing effective education for pupils across a broad age range.

He also praised behaviour around the school and in lessons.

Headteacher, Matt Gauthier, said: “I am delighted that Ofsted has recognised the huge improvements that have taken place over the last four years and I am particularly pleased that they acknowledged the outstanding leaders, at all levels, we have in the school.

“The education that the students receive at the Samuel Ryder Academy is excellent. The Ofsted outcome is an important milestone in our story of success but we will continue to focus relentlessly on raising standards even further.”

The Ofsted report praised the teaching staff in a number of areas and gave particular praise to the leadership and management within the school which it judged to be ‘Outstanding’ – the highest accolade given by Ofsted.

It also said students are achieving very well in all phases of the school from primary and secondary through to the Sixth Form and in many areas the school is now doing far better than the national average.

The school was previously rated as requires improvement in 2014.

In 2015, the school had its best ever GCSE and A Level results, the percentage of students achieving A*-B grades at A Level increased by 27% and all students were offered a place at their first choice university.

Inspectors said in order for the academy to be rated outstanding, attendance rates could be improved.