A school is celebrating an improved Ofsted rating in its first inspection under new control.

Harris Academy Morden has been rated as a Good school by Ofsted in its first inspection since it joined the Harris Federation two years ago.

It replaced the Bishopsford Arts College which was rated Inadequate by Ofsted in previous inspections.

Inspectors visited the academy in Lilleshall Road, Morden, for two days in early December and found it to be Good overall.

A spokesman said the academy’s leadership and the behaviour and safety of pupils, two of the four categories looked at by Ofsted, went one better and were deemed to be Outstanding.

The report noted that "the academy is very effectively supported by the Harris Federation in making and sustaining this improvement from the predecessor school," and that "students who reflected on the changes that have taken place since the academy started, commented that students now want to be in lessons and to work."

The leadership of headteacher Lee Mallin was praised as "fundamental in bringing about rapid improvement."

Mr Mallin said: "We are very pleased with this feedback on our very first Ofsted inspection as an academy.

"Our students and staff have worked extremely hard in the last two years and it’s great for us to be rewarded with two Outstanding judgements in what is a very strong report.

Our priority now is to consolidate this success and ensure we become Outstanding in all four categories as soon as possible."

Sir Dan Moynihan, chief executive of the Harris Federation, said: "Congratulations to everyone at Harris Academy Morden.

Mr Mallin and his staff have delivered relentless improvement to make this a place where students now genuinely want to learn, and this is evident across the report."