CHILDREN and staff at an Alcester primary school have received a boost after they were judged as good by Ofsted.

Coughton CE Primary School, in Coughton Lane, was previously rated as requiring improvement at its last inspection.

Overall the school was rated outstanding for the behaviour and safety of pupils and good for its leadership and management, quality of teaching, achievement of pupils and early years provision.

Headteacher Adam Walsh said: “The school has made rapid improvement since my arrival in January 2014 and this is down to the dedication of the staff and the commitment of the governors who are all volunteers.

“I am especially proud of the children, the lead Inspector said that they were the best advert for the school through their politeness and attitude to learning, and I completely agree.”

Lead inspector Jeremy Bird visited the school on Wednesday, June 15 and Thursday, June 16.

During the inspection, he observed six lessons with two observations made jointly with the headteacher.

The inspector took into account 52 Parent View online questionnaires and 11 questionnaires from members of staff.

Pupils’ workbooks were scrutinised by the inspector and he listened to pupils read and talked to them about their reading.

Discussions took place with members of the governing body, staff, pupils and a representative of the local authority and a variety of documents were examined, including those relating to safeguarding and the school’s improvement plans.

The report said: “The new headteacher has greatly improved teaching and created a strong staff team who work well together.

“All leaders, including governors and subject leaders, have an accurate view of how well the school is performing. They work effectively together to continue to make improvements.

“Pupils make good progress across all subjects, including reading, writing and mathematics. Teaching is good because teachers and teaching assistants effectively develop pupils’ skills, knowledge and understanding in a wide range of subjects.

“Pupils’ behaviour is outstanding because they show excellent attitudes to their learning. Such attitudes contribute very well to their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.

“All groups of pupils achieve well, including disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs.

“Pupils are safe in school as they are very well cared for. Children make a good start to their school life as they enjoy their learning and make strong progress in the early years.

“The governing body is effective. It is well led by the chair and has improved the ways it holds school leaders to account.

“Recent improvements have led to governors becoming effective partners in supporting and challenging the school to make further improvements.

“Leaders are valued and trusted by the headteacher. As a result they have effectively driven improved achievement in the school.”

Officer Jeremy Bird said the school was not yet outstanding as most-able pupils are not always sufficiently challenged in their mathematical activities and the improvements in writing grammar, punctuation and spelling were not fully established.