COLERNE C of E Primary School is celebrating after a report from Ofsted inspectors said that improvement in standards within the last five years has been dramatic.

The school was inspected in June by a team of six inspectors.

The report, published last week, says that there has been 'very good improvement' since the previous inspection in 1997.

It says standards have risen dramatically, especially in English, maths and science. It also praises the quality of teaching at the school.

The school caters for 245 pupils, about half of whom come from the village. The other half live at the nearby military base of Azimgur Barracks.

A total of 57 children have special educational needs and the school has a resource centre for up to 12 pupils who have specific learning difficulties.

The Ofsted report says: "This is a very effective school which is giving pupils a very good education. Pupils are encouraged to enjoy their work but they are also challenged to do their best.

"Standards are much higher than you would normally see in similar schools and pupils achieve very well. This is due to the very good quality of teaching and high expectations of all staff working in the school."

The pupils have very positive attitudes to learning, the report says.

They also have good levels of independence and use their initiative to a high standard.

Attendance is well above average and the inspectors noted that pupils are keen to arrive to school on time.

Relationships within the school were also singled out. The inspectors were impressed with the 'friendship stop' which is located in the playground and acts like a bus stop.

If a pupil is feeling lonely, they stand at the friendship stop and fellow pupils encourage them to join them in the playground.

The staff were also praised by the inspectors. The report says: 'The head teacher gives very strong and purposeful leadership and fosters high expectations from staff, governors, pupils and parents. The deputy headteacher, senior staff and subject co-ordinators provide very clear leadership in their subjects and responsibilities.'

Parents' views of the school are positive. They believe that teaching is good and their children are expected to work hard.

A few expressed concern about the particular emphasis given to English, maths and science in year six, a point picked up by the inspectors.

The inspectors said that pupils in year six have received almost no geography and music teaching, as the school concentrates on English, maths and science.

But headteacher Anne Orme said the school has appointed a music co-ordinator this term after a few years without one.

She said the school day has been revised to create an additional teaching session every day, meaning that year six pupils will be able to study the core subjects as well as spending time on other subjects.

Mrs Orme, who has been headteacher at the school for five years, said: "The critical thing is we have engaged the children in their own learning and they take responsibility for their own learning."