INSPECTORS making their first assessment of Winterbourne International Academy said it was making good progress towards raising standards.

They found a "strong and improving" picture during their monitoring visit, to be followed by a full inspection in the next academic year.

The inspectors said the proportion of pupils achieving five higher-grade GCSEs in subjects that included English and maths was better in the first year of the academy than during the last year of the Ridings High School that it replaced – and significantly higher than the national average.

Inspector Robert Pyner highlighted good exam results in English, maths and foreign languages and said the current year indicated a continuing rate of improvement.

He said: "The strong focus on the international dimension within the work of the academy is clear. An example of this is the development of the English Baccalaureate range of core, science, humanities and arts subjects for students.

"Results for 2010 show nearly three in ten students achieved this range of subjects at the higher grades, almost double the national average.

"Taking their starting points into consideration, most students make good progress overall. Winterbourne has used its federated status well to develop courses in tandem with Yate International Academy, which provide for students who want to pursue vocational options.

"Students in Year 10 are currently undertaking this broader range of courses and have yet to be assessed and benchmarked nationally.

"However, discussions with them revealed they appreciate the opportunity to study these vocationally-based options. Senior pastoral staff also note that better matched courses have improved the behaviour of some students, particularly less able boys. Attendance is consistently high and has improved over the last two years. Punctuality is emphasised consistently and students recognise the importance of attending school regularly."

Mr Pyner said inspectors saw good and exemplary behaviour in lessons and around the academy. Students were polite, articulate and prepared to share their views, while the number of exclusions had dropped.

Good quality of teaching, which had been a feature of The Ridings, had been maintained and improved, with good and better teaching and learning seen in a range of subjects, especially English, maths, French, Spanish and music.

Mr Pyner said: "The curriculum has developed well since the academy was established, with a clear focus on the international dimension and broadening provision to meet a wider range of abilities and interests. The implementation of International Baccalaureate middle years programme has been effective."

Academy principal Rob Evans, said: "The verdict of the inspection team provides a strong foundation on which to make improvements."

Dr Robert Gibson, chief executive principal of The Ridings' Federation of Academies, said: "After two years, this Ofsted report is a real vote of confidence and reflects very well on the high levels of achievement within the academy."