AN Ivybridge primary school has been named as one of the best in the country after being rated as outstanding across the board.

Woodlands Park Primary School has been judged at the highest level by independent education inspector Ofsted in all five key areas of its work.

Inspectors said the quality of teaching and the achievement of pupils is outstanding as is the leadership and management, behaviour and safety of pupils and the Early Years provision.

The inspectors' verdict is a personal tribute to head teacher Heather Hanrott who is retiring at the end of the academic year.

She said: 'I am absolutely delighted with the report.

'I feel very proud and privileged to be the head teacher of such a successful school and to work with such a hard-working, committed and enthusiastic team.

'I am reassured that the school is in a very strong position for the future when Sarah Rogers begins her appointment as the new head teacher.'

Three Ofsted inspectors spent two days at Woodlands Park last month and their report has just been published.

Lead inspector John Laver concluded: 'Pupils throughout the school achieve outstandingly well, both in acquiring skills and knowledge and developing as confident and well-rounded individuals. Achievement is outstanding. All groups of pupils make outstanding progress.

'Outstanding teaching, allied to pupils' very positive attitudes to learning, is a key reason for the outstanding progress which all pupils make.

'Teachers are ably supported by teaching assistants both inside and outside the classroom.

'Pupils love coming to school, behave outstandingly well and feel very safe. Attendance is above average.'

Mr Laver added the leadership of the school is outstanding and Ms Hanrott is ably supported by committed staff at all levels.

He said: 'The head is very successful in her relentless drive to continually improve the school.

'She is uncompromisingly committed to excellence and provides valued support to other schools. Staff from other schools visit Woodlands to see best practice.'

Chair of governors Iain Grafton, said: 'The single most important job school governors do is to appoint the head.

'When we appointed Heather in 2007, we did so because we believed she had the skills, experience and leadership to take Woodlands Park forward, and to achieve this fantastic accolade from Ofsted.

'On behalf of the governing body of the school, I take this opportunity to thank Heather and her staff for all they have done for the children of Woodlands Park.

'We wish Heather all good luck for her retirement in the summer and look forward to working with our new head teacher Sarah Rogers.'