Happy children at a West Devon primary school make excellent progress and attain standards that are significantly higher than expected as a result of outstanding teaching.

Education inspectors say Mary Tavy and Brentor is an outstanding school which has an excellent capacity to get even better in the future.

And they say a parent's comment sums up how almost everybody feels about the school.

The parent told them: 'It has a great atmosphere with fantastic staff and very well-behaved, very well-educated and happy children.'

Two inspectors from the school standards agency, Ofsted, visited the school last term and their report has just been published.

It concludes: 'Children have an excellent start in the Early Years Foundation Stage where strong provision helps them make outstanding progress.

'As a result of outstanding teaching throughout the rest of the school, pupils' achievement is very good and their attainment is significantly above average by the end of Year 6.

'Top-quality provision for care, guidance and support ensures all pupils feel completely safe and very well looked after.

'They very much enjoy their time at school and their attendance is above average. Their behaviour is excellent.'

Lead inspector Laurie Lewin says staff and pupils get on extremely well together. The children are thoroughly encouraged, do their best, and become highly confident and enthusiastic learners.

The excellent curriculum planning ensures that the most is made of every opportunity and the curriculum is extensively enriched through a wide range of trips, visitors and extra-curricular activities.

The children have a strong voice in school affairs and make an outstanding impact on their community, says Mr Lewin.

Headteacher Nicky Pratten does an outstanding job and ensures all staff strive continually to provide the best possible education. The staff and the governors work very well together.

'The head is very successful in creating an atmosphere in which all staff work enthusiastically, with a strong sense of purpose and maintain high expectations for the pupils' personal and academic success,' says Mr Lewin.

'The school has an excellent capacity to move from strength to strength in the future.'

To improve even more, Mr Lewin says the school should ensure pupils have more opportunities to learn about people from different cultures and backgrounds.

Today a delighted Mrs Pratten said: 'We are very proud to be judged an outstanding school.

'This is a brilliant team effort and reflects the hard work and commitment of our dedicated staff, governors, children and parents.

'I would like to thank everyone who supports the school and makes it such a success.'