ST Barnabas Primary School, Market Lavington, have been praised for having strong leadership just two years after getting an Ofsted rating of requires improvement.

The School on Drove Lane, which teaches 70 children age four to 11, achieved a good rating when an Ofsted inspector visited last month.

The report said: “The headteacher has set a clear direction for the school and has shown that she is ambitious for improvement. As a result, teachers hold similarly high expectations for pupil achievement. Such expectations have had a positive impact on improving pupils’ progress and attainment to a good standard.

“The school’s supportive Christian ethos, and adults’ high expectations, do much to promote pupils’ good behaviour.

“The pupils themselves say that other pupils are typically well behaved and show a real eagerness to learn and in the classroom, their attitude to learning is very positive.”

Headteacher Jill Hibbs, who has been at the school for three years, said: “We are all thrilled that the hard work has paid off and now look forward to strengthening our good rating over the next few years.

"Particular highlights of the report for us were when the inspector recognised the warm Christian ethos in the school."

Chairman of governors Bridget Herniman said: “On behalf of all the governors, I would like to thank our wonderful school staff for their considerable work in driving this school forward from our previous inspection.”

To achieve Ofsted’s top rating of outstanding the school needs to raise attainment, especially in writing and maths, give pupils improved feedback from marking and make better use of target-setting arrangements in order to build on pupils’ eagerness to learn.

For the full report go to www.st-barnabas.wilts.sch.uk/images/documents/453821%20report%20to%20publish_wf17375476.pdf