Beechcroft infants School head Lynne Harper and pupils celebrate Picture Ref: 77056-30STAFF and pupils at a Swindon infants school are celebrating after scoring reasonable marks in their latest Ofsted report.

Beechcroft Infants School was described as 'a very good school' by inspectors in March.

They said progress in maths was outstanding and the teaching throughout the school as very effective.

The school in Beechcroft Road, Upper Stratton, has 264 pupils aged five-to-seven.

Delighted headteacher Lynne Harper says that good teamwork is the secret to the school's success.

"It's all about working together successfully as a team.

"There is absolutely no back-biting at the school and all the staff help and support each other.

"From that everything else flows."

In the school's last inspection in 1999 it was described as good and the latest report says it is now very good.

The school's achievement is all the more impressive considering the fact that one of its buildings was destroyed in a fire three years ago.

The blaze wrecked the school's offices, staff room, medical room and toilet block.

Mrs Harper said: "The fire was incredibly upsetting but we managed to get the school back up and running just two days later. It was horrendous at the time and we've had to make do with less space in the main building.

"But the building is nearly complete on a new block which will be opening soon."

She admitted that the Ofsted inspection was nerve-wrecking at times but she was expecting good results.

"It was a very vigorous but fair inspection.

"The results reflects the very hard work that the staff put in here.

"We know too that the parents are happy with the education their children are receiving. Every year we do a survey of parents' views and they have been really positive.

"I am pleased with the whole report.

"But I'm particularly pleased that we were praised for providing good and inclusive provision for pupils with special needs."

The only area criticised by the inspectors was attendance and pupils' punctuality, which were both described as unsatisfactory.

Mrs Harper said: "We do work with parents to improve this and we are continuing to do so. It is holidays during term time that are the biggest problem.

"Overall though I am absolutely delighted with the report.

"You always hope you will do well but you are never quite sure how the inspection will turn out on the day."