GRASMERE Primary School has rocketed into the top six per cent of primaries in the country after being graded outstanding by Ofsted.

The education watchdog applauded the 56 pupil primary in the heart of the Lake District for being ‘an exciting place to learn’.

Head teacher Johanna Goode said: “We’re delighted.

“It is a whole team achievement; children, teachers, teaching assistants, support staff and volunteers.

“We have a very happy, hard-working team, who are determined to do the best possible job.”

Inspector Ann Wallis who visited the school at the end of June said school staff provided a ‘rich and vibrant curriculum’ which includes many opportunities to visit places locally and further afield.

Ms Wallis said: “Teachers’ excellent subject knowledge, brisk lessons, challenging tasks and perceptive questioning all contribute to the outstanding learning which takes place. Pupils make at least good and often exceptional progress and their achievement is outstanding.”

Reference was also made to last year’s school play A Midsummer Night’s Dream which saw pupils perform unabridged Shakespearean English. Since the school’s last inspection in 2007 where it was found to be ‘good’, inspectors found that the quality of teaching has improved and pupils’ progress accelerated.

Chair of governors, the Reverend Cameron Butland, said: ““The Governors are delighted. This is significant for the development of the school, and raises Grasmere School to a higher standard of attainment and expectations. Nationally only six per cent of primary schools are graded ‘outstanding’.

The head-teacher and staff have been working towards this goal and we are delighted for them that all their efforts have been rewarded.

“This outstanding success though does not happen by accident and it is right that we should pay tribute to all the staff and all who support our school, but most of all to the creative and inspiring leadership of the headteacher, Mrs Jo Goode.”

Parents and carers who took part in an inspection questionaire said they were extremely pleased with the education the school provides and th excellent leadership of the headteacher.

The only improvement the school was asked to make was surrounding attendance figures.

"While the majority of pupils attend regularly more parents and carers were found to be taking more holidays during term time than in previous years.