INSPECTORS have given a York primary school the thumbs up, nearly two years after telling it to sort itself out.

Woodthorpe Primary School gained “good” in all categories for the first time in its history, in its recently-published Ofsted report.

Its headteacher James McGann praised both staff and children for turning round the school’s fortunes.

The school is now setting its sights on attaining “outstanding” ratings in its next school inspection.

In 2015, following a routine inspection in March of that year, Ofsted rated the school as “requires improvement” and inspectors carried out an extra “Section 8” inspection later the same year.

Inspectors returned to the school last month and in their report released this month they praised the school for its response since the previous inspection, although it identified concerns around attendance and some pupils not reaching their potential quickly enough.

The report declared: “Leaders have successfully tackled the issues highlighted in the previous inspection.

"Standards have improved and the quality of teaching is much better. Leaders’ evaluation of the school’s effectiveness is extremely accurate.”

Mr McGann said he was delighted the school’s hard work and staff and pupil dedication had been recognised.

York Press:

He said Woodthorpe children were a credit to their school and had been instrumental in the school’s achievement.

He, deputy headteacher Ash Atherton, and assistant headteacher Charlotte Taylor, joined the school in September 2015 after the two inspections that year.

The new report says: “Pupils show a thirst for learning.

"Pupils are polite and courteous. They behave well around school and show respect to adults.

"Most pupils love coming to school. Staff support families well and do all they can to promote regular attendance.

"However, overall, disadvantaged pupils do not attend as well as others and there are too many who are persistently absent.”

About the teaching it says: “The progress made by pupils throughout the school is good.

"Pupils are very well prepared for the next stage of their education.

“Teaching is good in most classes because staff take account of what pupils already know and can do. Most pupils make good progress from their individual starting points.”

But it adds: “In some classes, a small minority of the most able pupils do not make the progress of which they are capable.

"They are not moved on quickly enough in their learning."