HAPPY youngsters are celebrating at St Marychurch Church of England Nursery and Primary School after it was praised by Ofsted.

The Torquay primary was applauded by Government officers for being a good school with several outstanding features.

Following an inspection in December, the latest Ofsted report rated the school's overall effectiveness as good – an improvement on the 'satisfactory' judgement awarded by inspectors in March 2008.

Inspectors also judged a number of features as outstanding, including:

The whole of the Early Years Foundation Stage covering the nursery unit and reception class

The high quality care, guidance and support provided by staff

Leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement

The school's promotion of equality of opportunity and the way it tackles discrimination

The extent to which pupils contribute to the school and wider community

The school's capacity for sustained improvement.

Head teacher Philip Mantell said: "I am very proud of our children, staff and governors who work so hard to support our school.

"It is pleasing to see their achievements and the special qualities of our school have been recognised.

"We will strive to continue and improve on our good work in the future so we can provide the very best of learning experiences for our pupils."

The Ofsted report said the school is very caring and inclusive, enabling all pupils to do well academically and personally.

It also stated that pupils' attainment has been lifted, especially in their reading and mathematical skills, and pupils' behaviour is good because the school has effective procedures to promote and maintain good behaviour.

Cllr Anna Tolchard, Torbay Council's Cabinet Member for Children's Services, said: "I am really pleased this Ofsted report reflects all the effort everyone has made to improve and build on the school's successes.

"I would like to congratulate the head teacher, staff, governors, pupils and their parents for all their hard work. Their achievements are well deserved."

The Ofsted report said that by the time pupils leave school, their good academic achievement and positive attitudes to learning prepare them well for the future.

Inspectors also said that after an excellent start in Nursery and Reception classes, pupils progress continues at a good pace as they move through the rest of the school, in response to an increasing amount of good and better teaching and learning.

St Marychurch is now looking to make more improvements by bringing the quality of marking pupils' work to a level that matches the high quality of oral guidance and further increasing pupils' attendance.