STAFF and pupils at Minehead Middle School are celebrating after the school achieved another 'Good' rating its latest Ofsted report.

Inspectors visited the school on September 12, and were particularly impressed with the strides the school had made in the maths department since Ofsted's previous visit.

The report found that the school had successfully invested to improve teachers' mathematical skills and knowledge, and that pupils enjoyed the subject.

Inspectors also noted positives in staff working with teachers from successful schools, which had boosted their confidence, and that the school was benefitting from being part of the West Somerset Academies Trust.

The report also highlighted that writing skills were on the up at the school, however did note that there was still work to be done in improving attendance for disadvantaged pupils and to make sure there more opportunities to develop writing skills in humanities and science.

Headteacher Dan Hartley said: "I am incredibly proud of our pupils, their parents and our hardworking members of staff who all helped Ofsted to recognise that Minehead Middle School is a great place to receive an education. "School leaders were praised for working tirelessly to improve provision and the children were confident, polite and industrious. The nurturing environment ensures that children can flourish and challenge themselves with confidence."

Mr Hartley said Minehead Middle was just part of a wider success story in the West Somerset area.

"The excellent GCSE exam results this summer placed the progress of children from year 6 – 11 in the top 10 per cent nationally and third overall in Somerset.

"This could only be achieved with the close relationship between West Somerset College and Minehead Middle School which I know will continue to grow from strength to strength in the future."

Former Minehead Middle headteacher and current chief executive of the West Somerset Academies Trust Paul Rushforth added: "We are pleased the inspectors recognised the continued strengths of the school. Inspections are very significant in the life of any school but the day-to-day experience of every child is even more important to us."