Students, parents, staff and governors at Henbury School, Bristol, are celebrating winning high praise from the education watchdog Ofsted for improvements during the past four years.

Inspectors found: "In most respects, Henbury is a good school and has outstanding features."

Ofsted was only able to rate the comprehensive as satisfactory overall, however, because exam results remained low.

But the inspectors said standards were rising significantly and students' progress was getting better.

The 812-pupil school was said to have a good capacity to improve further.

Head teacher Clare Bradford was praised for "clear vision, strong direction and effective communication".

"She has raised expectations, inspired staff and established a robust commitment to improve the school's performance," the report said.

Students were congratulated on their good behaviour and their positive attitudes to learning.

In particular, their contribution to local community events was seen as outstanding.

Inspectors recognised staff and students enjoyed being at school and had excellent relationships with each other.

As well as a strong curriculum which catered very well for students of all abilities, inspectors felt the range of extra curricular activities was exemplary, from foreign trips and visits, to sports and performing arts, and strongly contributed to students' enjoyment of school.

There was praise too for the staff whose "strong subject knowledge helps them to bring their lessons to life in an exciting way".

A strength of the school was found to be the care and support offered to students to help them achieve their best.

Inspectors found guidance given to the most vulnerable students was exemplary, and the school's work with other agencies to support pupils was outstanding.

The inspectors were amazed by the high number of responses from parents, which were "overwhelmingly positive" about their children's experiences, expressing pride in their school and support for the staff's care of their children and the progress they make.

Mrs Bradford was delighted with the report.

"I feel extremely proud Ofsted has recognised the enormous steps forward the school has taken as a result of the hard work and commitment of all staff and governors and, more importantly, all of our students and families who have such a positive attitude to school," she said.

"We know we still have lots more improvements to make in bringing up standards further, and these improvements will continue to take place.

"The inspection team has given us really good advice on where to concentrate next, such as ensuring we are all consistent in assessing work and giving clear guidelines as to how students can make further progress.

Talking about the Bristol school, she added: "The key to a successful school is that staff and students are happy, and we care about each person achieving his or her best. That is what our school is all about."