URCHFONT CoE Primary School is celebrating after being graded good by Ofsted inspectors.

Ofsted visited the 101-pupil school in mid-June and said the school is good overall and good in achievement of pupils, quality of teaching, children’s behaviour and leadership and management.

The school’s previous inspection in March 2009 also resulted in a good grade but since then the Ofsted inspections have become tougher.

Headteacher Carol Talbot, who has been headteacher at the school for three years, put the latest grading down to the hard work of her staff, the board of governors, chaired by Joan Barnett, and the ongoing support of the parents.

She said: “I think we’re a good school because of the continual hard work and talent of the staff and the good leadership and management we have here. We are delighted with the Ofsted report.”

The Ofsted report says: “Very focused leadership has enabled pupils of all ages to make good progress across the school. Pupils are now achieving particularly well in reading.”

“Teaching is consistently good. Teachers check pupils’ progress promptly and accurately across a range of subjects. This helps pupils to make secure improvements and develop their understanding.

“The subjects taught make learning relevant and fun. They are enlivened by regular visitors and visitors to places of local interest.”

The inspectors said Mrs Talbot has created a culture of high expectations and, supported by others, checks the quality of teaching rigorously and this has led to an improvement in teaching and achievement.

The report also praised the pupils: “The behaviour of pupils is good.

“Typically, pupils are polite, friendly and considerate of others.

“They are well motivated, settle to their work quickly and enjoy their learning. Relationships in the school are good.

“The playground is a harmonious place with a wide range of activities of offer, which pupils enjoy sharing with each other.”

Improvements suggested by Ofsted were teachers sharing their skills and expertise to further improve the quality of teaching, to set more challenging work for some pupils and ensure that the achievements in writing mirrors those of reading and maths.