Ref. 27985-17STANDARDS at Colebrook Junior School, in Stratton St Margaret, are steadily improving, thanks to first-class teachers who are well supported by parents.

That is the finding of a recent Osfted report, which found significant improvements since the last inspection in 1998.

The report said: "Colebrook is a good school and provides good value for money.

"Most pupils are achieving well, and standards are rising, and are now average.

"The quality of teaching and learning is good overall, and leadership and management are good."

Inspectors who visited the school over three days at the end of September also praised the school's good relationship with parents.

Pupils' good behaviour was also commented upon.

The only area of concern was in information technology, where standards were found to be below average.

But Nick Vining, the headteacher of the 160-pupil school, said this was being addressed.

He said: "This was caused by lack of funding and lack of expertise.

"We were aware of this before the inspection and we employed a specialist IT teacher, who comes in one day a week.

"Unfortunately, the new teacher had only been in post for three weeks before the inspection and it takes time to make a difference."

Mr Vining was delighted with the overall findings.

He said: "Standards are definitely getting better.

"I'm particularly pleased they praised the good relationship with parents and they found that children respected each other and were well behaved."

Tamash Lal