A Worcester school has received a "glowing report" from education watchdog Ofsted.

Nunnery Wood High School was rated as a good school with outstanding features by Ofsted inspectors.

Headteacher Steve Powell welcomed the report.

He said: "It's a pretty glowing report.

"It's exactly what we would want people to say about us."

Inspectors found pupils arrived at the school with average starting points but by the time they left they were well above average after making excellent progress including in English and maths.

Teaching at the school was found to be good overall and sometimes outstanding.

Many teachers had strong subject knowledge and high expectations which enabled them to plan well-structured activities that challenged pupils.

This was particularly the case in English and mathematics.

However, some teachers did not take into account the needs and different abilities of pupils in their class when planning activities, or check carefully enough how well pupils were learning.

Sometimes more-able students were not challenged enough.

This variation in teaching was one of the reasons why the school was not yet outstanding.

Pupils were said to have good and often outstanding attitudes to learning and enjoyed a well-developed curriculum and a rich offer of extra-curricular activities.

The achievement of pupils who are disadvantaged, disabled or with special educational needs had risen and the gap with their classmates closing.

However, the attendance of this group of students was not as good as their peers.

Inspectors found the personal development of pupils was outstanding and their behaviour was good.

Most pupils had high rates of attendance and there has been a sharp decline in the academy's rates of exclusion in the last academic year. These are now below average.

The headteacher, governors and leaders were praised for encouraging pupils to strive for their best, achieve academically, develop their talents and become responsible citizens.

However, although the skills of governors and middle leaders were improving, they were not yet sharp enough.

Mr Powell said: "I think the report is fair.

"They noticed that in the most important areas students achieve excellent progress.

"Our focus is on the whole student but also staff are focused on every student doing the very best they can.

"We don't give up on anyone."

"The inspectors felt six months down the line the judgement would be outstanding.

"We are already more strategic and focused."

Mr Powell also said although attendance of disadvantaged pupils was lower than others, it was still above the national average.

About the school

- Much larger than average

- The number of disadvantaged pupils is below average

- An average number have disabilities or special educational needs

What the school does well

- Attainment is well above average

- Teaching is good and sometimes outstanding

- Personal development of pupils is outstanding

What the school must do next

- Further improve teaching so pupils consistently make outstanding progress

- Sharpen the skills of governors and middle leaders

- Improve the attendance of disadvantaged pupils