STAFF and students at The Lakes School enjoyed double success this week when their improved performance was noted by two national organisations.

The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust commended the Troutbeck Bridge school for being one of the most improved at GCSE over the past four years.

Ofsted also awarded the secondary a ‘good’ grade in its recent inspection.

Head teacher Dr David Selby said: “This has confirmed, once again, just how much our students achieve — in exam results but also in their wider school experience. Success like this happens because all involved are determined to do their best and the school is helping all these individuals to produce a massive team effort.”

The school’s GCSE pass rate at 5A* — C including English and maths leapt from 49 per cent in 2006 to 71 per cent in 2010.

Its Ofsted report released this week found that the school was seen as providing a good standard of education and continuing to improve.

All areas of the main school were graded good or better and inspectors were impressed by the quality of teaching and learning. They also judged the way students feel to be safe as ‘outstanding’.

Derek Haynes, the independent school improvement partner, said: “Under the new Ofsted framework a surprising number of schools went down a grade nationally. Maintaining the same grade as previously can be seen as an improvement. To improve a grade is superb, very well done.”