A GLASGOW school where about half the pupils speak English as a second language has been praised by education watchdogs.

Shawlands Academy on the South Side of the city, which has a roll of 1230 pupils, was given two very good and three good ratings in its latest HMIE report.

Inspectors praised the standard of the curriculum and improvements in the academic performance of pupils, as well as the high rate of teenagers going on to further and higher education.

Around 76% of pupils progressed to fifth and sixth year, compared with the Scottish average of 65%.

From 2007-2008 13% of pupils achieved five Highers, compared with a 6% Glasgow average and 10% across Scotland.

The number of pupils going on to university is also higher than the national average and two pupils this year have conditional offers for Cambridge.

The report said: "The school has been very successful in helping high numbers of young people go into university, college, training and employment.

"Most young people are determined to do well. They are motivated, confident and friendly."

Inspectors also praised the support for pupils who speak English as a second language and the leadership of headteacher Ann Grant.

She said: "I am delighted that the efforts of staff and the achievements of young people have been recognised."

Shawlands Academy was named the UK's greenest school at an environmental awards ceremony last year.

Judges were particularly impressed by a cycle rental scheme, where youngsters can pay £30 a year to rent a bike and cycle to school.

The school also represented the UK in a "clean Europe" project that saw pupils working alongside their peers from schools in Sweden, Cyprus and France.