A VILLAGE primary school on the edge of Dartmoor has sailed through its recent Ofsted inspection with flying colours.

After a recent visit to South Tawton Primary, inspectors have praised the 192-pupil school as 'an effective school that gives pupils a good breadth to their education'.

The four-strong inspection team particularly highlighted the standard of teaching at South Tawton.

The report said: 'The quality of teaching is very good in Year 6 and good overall in Key Stage 2, and, as a result, standards are above average in English and mathematics by the time the pupils leave the school.'

The quality of teaching was described as satisfactory or better in 96 per cent of lessons with 60 per cent being good or better and 17 per cent very good or better.

The report states: 'The headteacher, governors and staff work well together to improve standards, which contributes to the success of the school.'

The school has made 'satisfactory' improvements since the last inspection in 1997 with standards remaining generally high in English, maths and science by the end of Key Stage 2.

The results for earlier years are more variable, but inspectors realised there were 'significantly more' pupils with special educational needs than at the last inspection.

The quality and range of the curriculum was found to be 'good overall', as were pupils' attitudes.

Inspectors said: 'Behaviour is good and the school helps children to become mature and responsible.

'The teaching is good and children make good progress because they are expected to work hard.'

Areas where improvement could be made included spiritual development across the curriculum, and matching tasks more closely to the needs of pupils, particularly high attainers.

Bobby Sutton, headteacher at South Tawton, was delighted with the inspection report.

She said: 'This is a very positive report and one which highlights the excellent team spirit which exists here.

'Everyone involved with the school, including staff, governors and parents, is fully committed to continually raising standards and the areas for improvement are already part of the governors' action plan.'

Mrs Sutton said South Tawton was a happy school that pupils enjoyed attending.

'We intend to make it even more successful in the future,' she said.

Patrick Shaw, who has just stepped down as chairman of the school's governing body, said: 'We have a dedicated team of staff under the excellent leadership of Bobby Sutton, who work very hard to make our school a place where children and parents feel welcome and involved.

'I am glad the Ofsted team have acknowledged the many strengths of our school and I know we will be aiming to raise standards even further for our pupils — they deserve the very best.'

Tony Clark, newly elected chairman, said: 'We are going to build upon the success of the school and act upon Ofsted's advice.'