PUPILS and staff at Acomb Primary School are celebrating the end of the school year with a 'good' rating from Ofsted.

Inspectors last visited the school last March and left saying the it needed improvement, but this term another inspection report has praised the hard work and achievements of staff and governors.

Headteacher Lee Haynes said: “The inspectors were very positive about the work we are doing and said that we are a thoroughly good school. We are all delighted.

“School inspection is constantly evolving and each time it does it gets more rigorous. This time, the team of inspectors looked closely at 15 lessons and part-lessons, they looked in detail at books for each class, spoke to children, met with staff, studied data and other documentation held in school and sought out opinions of parents.”

In their report, Ofsted inspectors noted: “The headteacher, governors and all staff have successfully worked together to bring about marked improvements in teaching and in pupils’ achievements since the last inspection.

"The school is well led and managed. Staff feel valued and morale is high.

“They are not complacent and are continually striving for improvement. Consequently, the school is well placed to improve further.”

Inspectors reported that pupils’ good progress continues as they move through the school. In one recent set of tests an above average proportion of Year 1 pupils met the expected standard. In tests at the end of Year 2 and Year 6 in 2013 pupils’ attainment was significantly above average.

They also noted that: “Pupils are very proud of their school. Older pupils take responsibility as school buddies, members of the school council and also help with tending the school’s impressive garden. Parents are entirely supportive of the school and many are fulsome in their praise of the education and personal support it provides for their children”

Mr Haynes added: “We are very proud of Acomb Primary School and will continue to build on our strengths in the future. I am grateful for the continuing support of parents, governors, staff and, of course, the children and feel privileged to lead such a good school.”