HATHERLEIGH Primary School is at the heart of its community, Ofsted inspectors have said in a report which gives high praise to the school.

The inspectors said teaching at the school was ?consistently good? and teaching assistants made ?a valuable contribution to lessons?.

Pupils were well cared for and the latest exam results showed standards were well above average in English, maths and science compared with similar schools.

?Results have actually been improving at a faster rate than nationally,? said the inspectors from the school standards agency.

?Hatherleigh is at the heart of the community and there are effective relationships with parents and local people.?

The report added: ?Parents are pleased. They feel their children are well looked after and the school plays a valuable part in supporting the local community.

?Pupils like their school very much. They like their teachers and the responsibilities they share to make the school even better.?

Headteacher Linda Mitchell said: ?Every head is delighted when their school is praised. But I was especially pleased to read the Ofsted report.

?Everyone involved with the school ? pupils, parents, staff and governors ? have every reason to be proud of Hatherleigh?s achievements.?

The inspectors spent three days at the school in March and their report has just been published. It concludes: ?Improvement since the last inspection has been very good.

?The headteacher is very effective in identifying what the school needs to do to raise pupils? achievements and in inspiring adults and pupils to achieve their best.

?She provides a very clear vision for the school; one that has high expectations of the pupils and staff.?

Other areas highlighted by the report include teaching in the reception class, positive attitudes by pupils, good support for pupils with special educational needs, and active governors.

The inspectors do highlight areas for continued improvement, and say more resources should be made available for ICT to raise standards and there should be more time devoted to PE lessons for older pupils.

Mrs Mitchell said they were always aiming to develop the school in specific areas and the two subjects highlighted for attention featured prominently in their current school improvement plan.

She said she was particularly pleased with praise in the report for teaching and learning in the reception class, which was currently in a small classroom due to be relocated in the school?s new building later in the year.

?The highly positive comments on the standards of care, guidance and support were highly pleasing. When I asked the children in the school council for their views on the report, their comments spoke for us all. They said: ?People put effort into English and science because the teachers make it fun. The teachers and helpers look after us and the children look after each other?.?