A VILLAGE is celebrating after Ofsted found its primary school had improved significantly in the two years since its last inspection.

Shaugh Prior Primary School was rated good in all areas following an inspection in July by the Government school standards body, which has just published the results of its visit.

The school had previously been judged to require improvement after an inspection in May 2014.

But this time round, lead inspector Matt Middlemore found improvements had been made across the board thanks to the efforts of executive headteacher Simon Hall, head of teaching and learning Gill Gilmartin, and the school’s governors and staff.

Shaugh Prior is linked through the Moorsway Federation with Cornwood C of E Primary and The Erme Primary in Ivybridge.

Mr Middlemore said: ’Teaching is good throughout the school. Relationships with pupils are strong and based on high expectations and mutual respect. Pupils are typically determined to achieve their very best.

’Pupils achieve more highly now than they did at the time of the previous inspection. This is because leaders have raised the quality of teaching and made good use of external support.

’The curriculum is a real strength of the school and has been adapted across the federation to improve achievement, particularly in English and maths.

’School improvement has been very well supported by both the local authority Devon County Council, and external specialists.

’All the parents who spoke to inspectors were very supportive of the school and the improvements they have seen.’

He added: ’Effective challenge from governors has also helped to bring about swift improvement.’

Mr Middlemore said parents were particularly complimentary about teaching staff, typified by one parent’s comment that ‘teachers are welcoming, warm and friendly’.

Executive head Mr Hall said: ’We are delighted that the efforts and achievements of the school have been recognised by Ofsted.

’To have achieved so much is testament to the dedication, commitment and enthusiasm of everyone involved in the school and reflects the hard work of the children, staff, governors and parents to improve on our ‘requires improvement’ judgement two years ago.

’While we are taking a breath to enjoy this news, I can assure you that we will not rest on our laurels, but will use the report to build further on the progress, attainment, safety and well-being of all our children.’