Settle College has been assessed as good with outstanding features by Ofsted.

The community college, with 483 students aged 13 to 18, was said to be outstanding in leadership and management, promoting learning and well-being and driving ambition.

The effectiveness of the governing body in ensuring weaknesses were tackled and responsibilities met was also outstanding, as was the way pupils contributed to the school and community.

Inspector Moira Fitzpatrick said teachers had high aspirations, reflected in the good level of challenges in most lessons. Students were expected to work hard – and they did.

They were encouraged to help and learn from each other and there were high levels of mutual respect.

Governors were said to have an excellent knowledge of the college’s strengths, weaknesses and priorities for improvement.

Provision in the sixth form had improved rapidly and significantly since the last inspection and the new head of sixth form had developed the curriculum with more appropriate courses and improved the quality of teaching through more regular and rigorous monitoring.

Inspectors felt the curriculum was relevant, well organised and adapted to students’ needs. Senior leaders continually sought ways to ensure students achieved their best.

The college’s specialist subjects made an excellent contribution to raising standards both within the college and in neighbouring schools.

The vast majority of parents and carers had positive views of the college and were well-informed about progress in subjects.

College principal William Bancroft said: “This is the culmination of three years of very hard work by students, staff and governors to ensure we are providing the best possible education for the young people of North Craven.

“We are especially pleased the areas marked out as outstanding are those concerned with people and how effectively they work together. We are already a lead school for inclusion for North Yorkshire and, in April, were awarded lead status for assessment for learning and the lead for the North Craven Creative and Media Diploma.

“Above all, the report recognises the way the school community has embraced and worked with some very significant changes to improve the opportunities available to students and help them achieve their potential. Our students are outstanding and deserve this level of recognition and praise.”

The full report is at settlecollege.n-yorks.sch.uk