Some significant improvements in teaching at Laving-ton School have secured it a good Ofsted report.

The school, in Market Lavington, was given a rating of requiring improvement when Ofsted inspected it under a tougher framework in September 2012, a considerable drop on its outstanding verdict in 2008.

Inspectors returned this month and their new report was published this week.

Overall, the 703-pupil school was told it was good. Achievement of pupils and quality of teaching was rated good, while pupil behaviour and safety and leadership and management were said to be outstanding.

The inspectors’ report says: “Students’ achievement is good across a range of subjects, including English. In mathematics it is outstanding. Teaching overall is good and much is outstanding.

“Teachers have strong subject knowledge and set tasks that are interesting and well matched to students’ abilities.

“Students consistently demonstrate outstanding attitudes towards learning. They have a thirst for knowledge and enjoy their learning.

“Students’ behaviour around the school and in lessons is excellent. They are very polite and courteous towards each other, staff and visitors.”

Inspectors said headteacher Martin Watson was “a very effective leader” and excellent leadership had ensured significant improvements in the quality of teaching.

They said the school was not yet outstanding because progress and achievement in English were not as good as in maths and homework did not always challenge students to improve learning.

Headteacher Mr Watson said: “We have an approach here that if something needs fixing then we put a lot of time and energy to fix it. I’m really proud of the staff who have worked so hard and now teach at the level we would wish and getting the outcomes we would wish.

“I do believe English will be very soon as good as maths. Most of the teaching is outstanding and, within a couple of years, I’m confident we will be outstanding in all four categories.”