PUPILS and staff at Lew Trenchard School have made a good impression on the Ofsted inspectorate after a visit to the primary over two days last month.

It was rated overall 'good' by inspectors — schools are graded either outstanding, good, requires improvement or inadequate.

Among the conclusions were 'pupils enjoy school, make good progress and achieve well in all subjects'.

Results in English and mathematics have continued to rise since the last inspection and are now above the national average.

The inspector also concluded that the quality of teaching is good and lessons are expertly planned to meet the needs of all pupils in mixed year group classes and teachers are supported well by highly committed teaching assistants.

Pupil behaviour was classed as good because children had a good understanding of right and wrong which indicates a strong moral code. 'The values within this school demonstrate that every child really does matter.

'The highly respected headteacher leads and manages a small but strong team, supported by governors, who ensure that this good school continues to improve, yet retains the core values important to the local community.'

The inspector said the primary was not yet an 'outstanding' school because there are a few lessons where teachers are not giving pupils enough opportunities to develop their independent learning skills. The report also pointed out that the progress made in writing is not as rapid as in reading and mathematics.

A 'good' school is effective in delivering outcomes that provide well for all its pupils' needs. Pupils are well prepared for the next stage of their education, training or employment.

Staff at the village school are delighted that their hard work and dedication has been recognised.

Headteacher Tim Woodward told the Times: 'I greatly valued Ofsted's judgement but I was even more delighted by the response of parents during the inspection period.

'One hundred per cent of parents who either talked with the inspector or who answered the online survey, stated that they would recommend the school to friends and family.

'The inspector had never seen such a strong approval rating before. This ringing endorsement was the icing on the cake for those involved with the school.'