IT IS smiles all round for teachers, parents and pupils at Finmere CE Primary School as the start of term marks a double celebration.

The village school near Bicester is celebrating a brand new year with not only more pupils but also the seal of approval from education watchdog Ofsted.

The same day children filtered back into their classrooms yesterday for their first day back, the latest Ofsted report was published online to reveal the school had held up its ‘Good’ rating.

The routine visit which took place in July was the first since 2013 when the school previous secured the same grade.

In her report, Ofsted inspector Sue Cox said: “The leadership team has maintained the good quality of education in the school since the last inspection.

“Staff and governors wholeheartedly support you and appreciate your good leadership, effective communication skills and dedication. You make sure that everyone at Finmere is valued and that the school is inclusive and welcoming.”

She added: “Pupils thoroughly enjoy coming to school. They are beautifully behaved, helpful and polite. Pupils approach their learning with positive attitudes and they are confident and keen to talk to visitors about their work.

“They said that their teachers support them well and make learning interesting. Pupils particularly enjoy belonging to a small village school and the opportunity to play and mix with pupils from different year groups.”

The report also mentioned the ‘interesting curriculum’ for pupils including visiting a Roman villa to work like archaeologists and search for remains.

The second celebration comes as almost double the number of pupils to last year are welcomed through the school doors this September.

There were 16 new pupils welcomed into classes yesterday, which is almost three times the usual intake of new pupils.

Headteacher Caroline Tucker said yesterday: “’The governing body and I are extremely pleased with the report and feel it recognises and acknowledges many of the wonderful qualities of Finmere CE Primary School.

“Staff and pupils work extremely hard and it is rewarding to see our efforts recognised in such a positive way.

“ We were thrilled with the overall judgement of good and are grateful to our families and the wider community for their continued support.

“I am so pleased so many families have chosen Finmere School this year for their child.

"We have made a real effort over recent months to raise the profile of our school, letting people know we are here and just what a wonderful place it is for learning; this is such a positive start to the new academic year.”

Pupils started back at school for the first day of the school term yesterday and the Ofsted report was published online the same day.

Read it on reports.ofsted.gov.uk