A SOUTH Lakeland primary school has come on leaps and bounds in its most recent Ofsted report.

In October 2012 Levens CE primary was told it ‘requires improvement’ but staff, children and parents are now celebrating after it was judged ‘good’ by the education watchdog.

Staff at the Church Road school, which has 61 pupils, were praised by lead inspector Gillian Salter-Smith. She said: “The headteacher, leaders and governors have been strongly determined to make improvements.

“They have been resolute and successful in their efforts to improve the school.

“At the same time, they have maintained the school as a happy place where children are well cared for and ready to learn.”

Ms Smith also paid tribute to the success of pupils “The most able pupils make good progress overall,” she said.

“The number of pupils reaching better than average standards is increasing in all subjects and at both key stages.

“Pupils are settled and happy in class and ready to learn because staff know their pupils well and build positive and supportive relationships with them.

“Pupils respect their teachers. “They say that their teachers make lessons fun and are always ready to give them the help they need.”

The two-day inspection took place on April 30 to May 1.

Headteacher Matt Foxwell said: “The report pays tribute to the children and their enjoyment of the school and their belief that it is a safe, secure and purposeful environment for learning.

“I was also encouraged that all the lessons observed were at least ‘good’ reflecting the high quality teaching which impacts so strongly on pupil learning, contributing to high levels of achievement.

“Again the inspection team highlighted the strong relationships, and mutual respect, which extends throughout the school.

MORE TOP STORIES: “I am really happy with the progress made by everyone involved in school, and Ofsted has provided an external validation of that progress.

“We will now build on this inspection and strive to make Levens an ‘outstanding’ school.”