PUPILS and teachers from St Aelred's Catholic Technology College have something to smile about after receiving pleasing Ofsted reports.

The Ofsted inspection, which took place at the Birley Street institution from January 23 to 24, commented that the college provided satisfactory' and improving quality' of education.

The Ofsted team inspected every aspect of life at the voluntary-aided high school over the two-day period.

The report said the school's mission to serve the needs of others is manifest in its caring ethos, pupils' outstanding spiritual, moral, social and cultural awareness and good provision for pupils' personal development and well-being'.

Maria Rimmer, executive head teacher, said: "I am pleased with the report. There was a tangible atmosphere throughout the whole school community, pupils and teachers, to ensure that the inspectors recognised the range of opportunities provided for our pupils and their considerable achievements in all aspects of life both within the college and beyond."

Paul Mannings, who led the inspection on behalf of the Archdiocese, praised the pupils' outstanding behaviour and said the learners showed enjoyment of their work.