TWO west Wiltshire primary schools celebrated the end of term with positive inspection reports highlighting their strong leadership and management.

Ofsted inspectors praised Dilton Marsh School for improving standards in English, maths and science.

Staff at Newtown Community Primary School in Trowbridge were commended for providing equal opportunities for all pupils, including those with special educational needs.

Inspectors visited both schools in May and their reports singled out headteachers Judith Finney of Dilton Marsh and Sue Ivermee of Newtown for particular praise.

Mrs Ivermee has left the school to take up a post with the local education authority. Her deputy, Mike Tozer, will be acting head until Christmas.

The report's summary on Dilton Marsh School said: "The school is very well led by an inspirational headteacher, who together with the deputy head provides an excellent role model for staff and pupils alike.

"This is a good school. Children join the school with below-average levels of attainment and make good progress so that standards in English, mathematics and science are above average by the time they leave.

"This is the result of good teaching, particularly for the youngest children and oldest pupils, and the warm inclusive ethos which permeates the school."

Inspectors praised the support provided by governors and found the school provided 'good value for money'.

Writing in the Dilton Marsh parish magazine, the school's governors said: "We are delighted with the report. It is a cause for celebration for the whole community."

The inspectors at Newtown noted the school was improving well after a 'period of instability' that saw local education bosses intervene with extra support between 2000 and 2003.

Their report said: "This is an effective school that provides a good quality of education for all its pupils. The leadership of the headteacher is good and she has a clear vision and determination to set systems in place to raise standards further.

"Links with parents are good and have a positive impact on pupils' learning, especially their reading."

The inspectors added there was still work to be done in improving pupils' attendance and in some areas the quality of teaching was unsatisfactory.

Nicola Phillips, the chairman of governors at Newtown, said: "We are very pleased with the report. It's nice that the improvements have been recognised. So many people have worked so hard."