A KENDAL primary school has been praised as a ‘vibrant and a happy learning community’ following a visit from a school inspector.

Castle Park School, on Sedbergh Drive, was found to be ‘good’ in its latest Ofsted report following a short inspection last month.

Inspector Elizabeth Stevens wrote to the head-teacher commending her and the staff leadership as ‘aspirational for the school.’

“You have provided an inclusive and welcoming environment where all are encouraged to discover their talents and achieve their best,” she wrote.

“Pupils leave the school very well prepared for their next stage of education.”

The school was also praised for its ‘engaging and interesting curriculum’.

“Staff use the extensive school grounds to bring pupils’ learning to life, for example through pond dipping and growing a variety of vegetables on the school’s allotment,” wrote the inspector. “A wide variety of extra-curricular clubs, including those for archery and art, are used to enhance pupils’ skills.”

She also wrote that teachers encouraged the pupils to be “independent and resilient learners” who were able to “tackle challenging work.”

Pupil across the school were also found to be “extremely polite” and “welcoming to visitors” as well as ‘enthusiastic and well behaved.

The school was also praised for the way it had addressed issues raised at the last inspection, pointing out that teaching in mathematics had improved and that standards continued to rise.

Mrs Richardson, the head-teacher, said: “We are delighted that Ofsted have recognised the good quality of education offered at Castle Park School, and that the children enjoy their learning through the engaging and interesting curriculum.”

The head-teacher added that the report accurately reflected the high standard of education provided by the school and that it captured the uniqueness and the hard work of the whole school community.

She said: “Ofsted recognised the many strengths of the school, including the high aspirations it has for all its children.”

To read the report go to gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted.