NORTH Tawton Primary School has been given a clean bill of health by OFSTED inspectors two and a half years after it was designated as having serious weaknesses.

The latest report by OFSTED says that the school's improvement since the last inspection was good and in many respects North Tawton was now an effective school.

Headteacher Neil Hallam said he was delighted with the contents of the report since it acknowledged the enormous amount of work which all staff and governors had done during the last two years.

'We shall build upon the advice and findings of the report to create an even higher standard of education for the children who attend North Tawton school,' he said.

Improvements had been made in leadership and management of the school and Key Stage Two standards had risen considerably, said the report. The direction of the school was now clear and the school's long-term financial planning was good.

Inspectors reported that the headteacher, governors and all staff work together well and the community links they had secured created a very positive atmosphere in the school that now provided good value for money.

The quality of teaching was described as good overall and the school was said to be successfully raising the level of achievements of its pupils.

Inspection findings show that pupils at the age of 11 are achieving above average standards in English and mathematics and in the investigative aspects of science,

Standards in information and communication technology were reported to be rising quickly and pupils had more regular access to computers. Overall standards in other subjects were in line with what would be expected for pupils of this age. Children up to the age of seven were also making good progress.

Other areas of work where the school was performing well included social and cultural development, pupils' behaviour, the school relationships with parents and the local community and the involvement of the governing body.

Chair of governors Barry Trask said: 'It is not possible to put into words the extra work and dedication that has been put into the past two and a half years by all staff.

'The most satisfying part of the report is that North Tawton School is an improving school and I am confident that we will continue to improve and offer even better value for money.'