A SELBY school is celebrating after being given top marks for stamping out unruly behaviour in the classroom.

OFSTED inspectors praised the dramatic turn-round at North Duffield, which was given a caning after the last inspection over problems of indiscipline and lack of respect for staff.

The village primary school was in the doldrums after being chastised for "serious weaknesses" in pupil behaviour, which was disrupting lessons, and for the poor quality of teaching.

But the champagne corks were popping today after the school bucked the national trend of growing classroom indiscipline - by restoring pride in the school.

Headteacher Elaine Ward said: "We have now got the respect of all pupils back, and children now say they like going to school.

"Behaviour is under control and academic results should improve quite significantly from now on.

"It's been tough, but we have worked hard with parents on an anti-bullying system and everyone now understands what is acceptable and what is not.

"We've had loads of comments from people outside school about how well-behaved they are and how smart they look." One of the first things that North Duffield did to restore its battered image and low morale was to get every child back in a school uniform, with matching homework bags.

It also introduced the old "house system" - denounced as too competitive by some liberal educationists.

Mrs Ward said: "Children love to get house points. We count the points every Friday and the winning house gets a trophy to put on display each week and at the end of the year.

"It's been a great team effort. We have laughed and cried together and pulled together as one big family."

The latest OFSTED report said the quality of leadership, teaching and pupil behaviour was now exemplary.

Pupils showed genuine enthusiasm for their work, there was no evidence of bullying and the school was "100 per cent friendly."

Governors' chairperson Anne Mortimer said: "The report is a tremendous tribute to the hard work and dedication of the headteacher, staff and pupils.

"It represents a major turn-round and we are extremely proud."

Updated: 15:35 Tuesday, May 07, 2002