Downham High School received a "good" rating for all eight of the key assessment areas which include achievement and standards, teaching and learning and leadership and management.

The inspection, which was conducted before the Easter holiday, also praised the effectiveness of the sixth form centre, which was found to offer an outstanding curriculum with an excellent balance of vocational and other options.

Headteacher Ian Bloom said: "This report is a testament to the hard work of our students, teachers, governors and parents, who each play a role in making our school a success.

"Our school aims to nurture each individual student to reach their full potential and we have developed our curriculum around vocational education to ensure that all of our students have a wide choice of options on how to further their education and develop into adulthood.

"We will now build on the many strengths identified by Ofsted and can continue to strive for excellence throughout our school."

Inspector Ian Sneath also reported how students enjoy coming to school and that the great majority have good attitudes to learning and behave well in class.

Outstanding features were found in the teaching of information and communication technology, engineering and art, while the pastoral team, which helps raise pupils' self-esteem, was also praised.

The report states: "Good care, guidance and support, together with good teaching enable students to achieve well and demonstrate good progress.

"The school is very inclusive and takes its obligations to equality of opportunity very seriously.

"Students speak very highly of their sixth form centre, which offers some excellent opportunities for achievement.

"Students develop into well-rounded individuals and most progress to either higher education or employment.

"The school serves its local community well."

Despite the many positives of the report the school was told it needs to improve progress at key stage four, especially English, and has to ensure lesson planning and teaching consistently focus on the learning needs of all students to raise standards.