LYDIARD Park Academy has been singled out by Ofsted as a shining example of a school which has made huge improvements in the past year.

The school, which is one of 18 primary and secondary schools championed by Ofsted alongside the release of their annual report on the state of education in England, was selected in recognition of the huge progress it has made during the past year alone.

It is the first time that the education watchdog named schools worthy of recognition alongside the release of the annual report yesterday, which highlights the outcomes of inspections throughout the country during 2013 and 2014, and areas which require improvement.

Lydiard Park Academy headteacher Clive Zimmerman was delighted the school had received the accolade.

He said: “Obviously we’re delighted to have been picked as one of only two schools in the South West and one of only 18 nationally.

“Although we might not have the greatest results in the region, I think we were picked because we are among those which have made the most improvements.

“This year we had our best ever GCSE results for the fourth time in five years, and students gained results that were well above – nine per cent higher, in fact – than the national level, and this is despite this cohort of pupils being slightly below the national average when they left primary schools.

“I think that’s what makes us stand out, how well the students improve between KS2 and GCSE.

“I think it’s a great boost for our hardworking and talented staff and after a very demanding but successful year. It’s also a recognition of the extremely positive work ethic that we have fostered in our student body.

“All in all, it’s a great Christmas for all concerned with Lydiard Park Academy.”

Mr Zimmer was informed ahead of the publication of the annual report that Lydiard Park would be suggested as an example with a call from the Cabinet Office on Monday.

He said: “When they called through and said it was the Cabinet Office about Ofsted I was a bit concerned, so it certainly made a nice surprise for a change.

“A call from the Cabinet Office/Ofsted is usually to be feared so it was nice to have someone ring to congratulate the school.”

Other achievements at Lydiard Park this year include being rated as good by Ofsted in January, landing in the top 20 per cent of schools nationally for progress in the past five years, and opening a new Sixth Form in September.