A SCHOOL in Minehead has improved its Ofsted rating from satisfactory to good following its latest inspection at the beginning of the month.

Minehead First School was rated good in each category: overall effectiveness, achievement of pupils, quality of teaching, behaviour and safety of pupils and leadership and management.

The report found that the school, which 271 pupils aged between four and nine attend, has made significant improvements since the previous inspection, particularly in the quality of teaching and progress pupils are making.

However, it cannot yet be rated outstanding because attainment in writing is slightly lower than reading and maths, with basic skills of grammar, spelling and punctuation needing work.

Head teacher James Geen, whose leadership was praised in the report, said: “The children, parents, governors and staff at Minehead First School are overjoyed. This outcome will be a massive boost to the school and hopefully the community in Minehead.

“It has been a real team effort by all those working at and connected with Minehead First, and most importantly, the children have shown themselves to be fantastic ambassadors for our school.”

Consistently good teaching was given as the reason for the pupils' “accelerated progress” over the last 18 months.

Chair of the school's governors, Lynn Chuter, said: “The governors of Minehead First School are delighted to hear that the hard work by the head teacher, all staff and the pupils has been recognised in the recent Ofsted inspection.

“We were grateful for the positive way parents responded to the Ofsted questionnaire and showed they value the progress their children are making.

“We will continue to work together, as a whole school community, to further improve the educational opportunities for all the children who come to the school now and in the future.”