A SMALL Devon village primary where the pupils 'greatly enjoy school' has been praised for its rising standards and caring ethos.

And news of Broadwoodwidger Primary School's success will soon be spreading as far as the United States.

Inspectors from the school standards agency, Ofsted, concluded: 'Teaching and learning are good and the school has made sound improvement since the last inspection.'

Now the good news is spreading to the Elias Howe School in Bridgeport, Connecticut, with which Broadwoodwidger is twinned.

Pupils regularly exchange letters and videos and the next Broadwoodwidger letter is now being prepared and will include the news about Ofsted.

The inspectors' report states: 'The school takes good care of its pupils. The pupils greatly enjoy school. They are well motivated and keen to get on with their work.'

Three inspectors from Ofsted visited the school in March and their report has just been published.

It concludes: 'The children make a satisfactory start in the reception class and this is built on as they move through the school.

'Overall, standards of work are in line with nationally expected standards and pupils achieve satisfactorily.'

The inspectors said the school's SATs results, which pupils sit when they are eleven, must be treated with great caution. The school only has 30 pupils in all so every child taking SATs represents 20% of the total.

However, the inspectors said their evidence indicated rising standards with the current Year 6 pupils attaining above average levels in science and information and communication technology and broadly average levels in English.

They say standards in maths must be improved with more concentration on the investigative and exploratory elements of the curriculum.

Other areas for improvement include the school should ensure children in the foundation stage have access to the full curriculum and facilities and should develop the use of assessment in non-core subjects.

Headteacher Nigel Sutton was praised by the inspectors: 'The headteacher has high expectations of what the school can achieve. There is very good teamwork between all staff and a common understanding of where improvements need to be made.

'The headteacher and governors are instrumental in promoting and valuing each of the pupils as individuals.'

Mr Sutton said: 'I am delighted that the Ofsted team have acknowledged the hard work that has been undertaken by the staff and governors since the last inspection.

'I am particularly pleased that the provision for science and ICT has received such praise.'