A WEST Devon village school has been praised for a rapid improvement in standards over the past two years and the care it provides for all its pupils.

Children at Lifton Primary School are all achieving well for their ability as a result of good teaching and effective assistants and the good leadership of headteacher Dr Caroline Whiting.

Dr Whiting took over at Lifton two and a half years ago after a period of instability when there were major staff changes.

Now inspectors from the school standards agency, Ofsted, say Lifton is already doing well and has the potential to achieve even more.

?The effectiveness of this school is good,? they say. ?The headteacher has very good leadership qualities.

?She and her very committed and competent team have made certain this school is in a strong position to move forward.

?Pupils enjoy life at Lifton School. Parents have ? quite rightly ? regained their confidence in, and have positive opinions of, the school.?

The three inspectors spent three days at Lifton and their report has just been published.

They say standards in Key Stage 1 ? five to seven years ? have always been high.

But they add: ?Standards in Years 3 to 6 (eight to 11) are showing significant improvement.?

From being among the lowest in the country, pupils are now achieving above average results in English and maths and average results in science at the end of Year 6.

?The quality of teaching is good. Pupils learn well because teachers know the needs of individuals and plan, with very effective teaching assistants, to address their needs,? says the report.

?Good quality extra-curricular provision enriches and broadens pupils? learning effectively and this makes a significant contribution to their achievement.

?The headteacher, supported by her very capable senior teacher, is implementing a rigorous and challenging plan for continued improvement.?

Among the other highlights of the report are:

l Pupils? spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, attitudes and behaviour are good, resulting in a pleasant learning environment

l Attendance is very good

l The care, guidance and support for pupils are good

l Partnerships with parents and affiliations with other schools and colleges are good and there are productive links with the community

l Pupils have many additional opportunities to acquire further knowledge, especially in games and sporting activities

l Governors are supportive and contribute well to the school?s effectiveness.

The inspectors agree that the school?s own improvement plan rightly focuses on continuing to improve standards in KS2, including pupils? handwriting and presentation skills.

They say the school should also enhance provision for Information and Communication Technology. Dr Whiting said the school would be buying a projector and special whiteboard to support ICT teaching.

She added: ?We were particularly pleased that the inspectors recognised the hard work and commitment of the whole staff team, including teaching assistants, to providing a school where pupils enjoy life and the ethos for learning is strong.

?We all recognise we can make a real difference through high quality teaching and good team work. Now the core subjects are secure we are planning developments across the curriculum to ensure we improve even further.?