STAFF and pupils from Mount Kelly Foundation are celebrating after receiving a glowing report by the Independent School's Inspectorate (ISI).

The 551-pupil school was visited by a team of eleven inspectors, who called into the newly formed foundation at the end of last term.

They observed lessons, conducted formal interviews with pupils and examined samples of pupils' work.

They held discussions with senior members of staff and with the chair of governors and a governors' representative, observed a sample of the extra curricular activities, registration sessions and assemblies.

Across the school, the inspectors found the quality of pupils' academic achievements were good and in some areas, excellent.

'Pupils succeed and excel in many areas of extra curricular achievement, including music, sport and drama,' said one inspector.

'Sport is an important part of the lives of pupils of all ages and, in particular, pupils excel through the specialised swimming programme.'

The inspectors found that the curriculum was 'excellent' for all ages offering an appropriate range of subjects, courses and individual opportunities for all pupils.

Teaching was deemed as 'good' and was well supported by positive relationships between teachers and their pupils.

Pupils' personal development and the quality of governance, leadership and management were classed as excellent by inspectors.

The report stated: 'The governing body of the new school has worked highly effectively to lead the school through the merger process and to establish a single school with high standards and aspirations for its pupils.

'Robust plans are under way to carry forward this raising of standards to achieve the criteria set out by the team for high quality teaching across the school, in order to ensure excellent learning anc achievement.'

The inspectors' recommendations for further improvement at Mount Kelly include development of the use of ICT to support and challenge the learning of all pupils; to provide consistent support for pupils with special educational needs in mainstream lessons and to ensure teaching is planned to challenge pupils appropriately.

In the early years foundation stage, the excellent practice in some areas should be consistently applied across all areas by embedding monitoring and supervision across the setting. Links with parents should be strengthened by exchanging frequent written information about children's achievements at home and school.

On reading the report from the ISI, headmaster Mark Semmence said he was particularly pleased that the excellent 'rapport between staff and pupils and their wise and effective use of praise and encouragement' was seen as one of the real strengths of the school.

'Teachers were observed as knowing their pupils well, working hard to nurture their confidence,' said Mr Semmence.

'Mount Kelly's strong ethos of family values, together with a fierce academic ambition, produces pupils who achieve some of the best A-Level results in the area and who are confident without arrogance and good listeners; they deal courteously with adult outsiders and are well prepared for life in the world beyond school.'