STAFF and pupils are celebrating an Ofsted report which found that their school was "outstanding" in all areas.

A previous report found that Much Marcle Primary was "good", but now it has gone one stage better.

Head teacher Lorna Harrison said: "We are justifiably proud of this achievement. We recognise the hard work of our pupils and staff and the support we have from our parents.

"The staff and children of Much Marcle Primary School were delighted to receive an outstanding judgement."

The school was assessed on Wednesday, January 15 and the following day, by lead inspector Clive Lewis.

He found that “pupils across the range of year groups and abilities make outstanding progress”.

He added: “Teaching is outstanding because teachers have strong expectations of pupils’ progress and organise lessons very carefully. Teachers are adept at enlisting pupils as full partners in their learning.

"The imaginative, carefully planned creative curriculum provides pupils with a rich array of exciting and memorable experiences. It fosters their personal and social development exceptionally well and ensures their whole-hearted participation in their learning.”

He also found “The behaviour of pupils is outstanding and relationships between pupils and adults are extremely positive.”

The report praises the schools "exceptional vision, enthusiasm and drive" in a caring and supportive environment, with high quality marking, assessment and a celebration of pupils' achievements.

But, in the only criticism to be found in the report, the school was urged to "work to develop a more formal system of assessing and tracking pupils' progress in other subjects, to match the rigorous system already in place for reading, writing and mathematics".

The was found to offer "excellent support" for disabled pupils and those with special educational needs.