A TOP government minister has described a Blackburn high school as an ‘excellent example’.

Tauheedul Islam Boys School has achieved an outstanding Ofsted rating in just its second year in existence.

The Robinson Street school’s inspection has even drawn the attention of Schools Minister Lord John Nash who has personally congratulated staff and pupils.

The minister said the report showed the school – which opened in September 2012 – as an example of what free schools could achieve.

He said: “I congratulate staff and pupils at Tauheedul Islam Boys’ High School on the publication of their first Ofsted report.

“Achieving this outstanding rating in only their second year of opening is a fantastic achievement and all down to the exceptional hard work and determination of the teachers and pupils at the school.

“I am particularly impressed by the glowing comments Ofsted has made about their exceptional success in developing students’ speaking and communication skills, the way the school is preparing them for future success and life in a multicultural society, as well as pupils’ exemplary behaviour and attendance.

“This school is an excellent example of how the free school programme is offering pupils and parents a high standard of education.”

Ofsted inspectors who visited the school said students achieve ‘outstandingly well’.

They found the proportion of students who made better progress than expected when starting the school was ‘exceptionally high’.

Lead inspector Stephen Wall said: “Teachers expect the students to work hard and give of their very best. They are rarely, if ever, disappointed with the response.”

TIBHS’s chief executive Mubaaruck Ibrahim said the entire school was thrilled with the report.

He said: “We’ve only been open a short while but a lot of hard work has gone into making the school what it is.

“Everyone is absolutely delighted with the comments we have received. It is all down to the hard work of staff and pupils.”