ONE of Oxford’s biggest primary schools, which only came out of a notice to improve three years ago, has been praised by Ofsted inspectors.

Windmill Primary School, in Margaret Road, Headington, which has more than 400 pupils, has been rated ‘good’ by Ofsted, following an inspection at the end of last month.

It had been given a notice to improve in 2006 following an inadequate inspection. It is a less serious sanction than special measures.

Headteacher Lynn Knapp, who joined the school in January 2007, said: “One of the key issues three years ago was attainment and progress. We have gone from being unsatisfactory in 2006 to now being good, which we are really thrilled about.

“We have done a lot of work developing the curriculum, and that has been recognised, and the points for improvement are things that are already in our school plans.”

The school was rated good in every area, apart from attendance, which was described as broadly average.

Mrs Knapp said: “We have really concentrated on those groups of children who, when we first came, were not making the progress they maybe should have been.

“It is a friendly, happy, welcoming school where the children are doing well because they feel relaxed, so they are doing their best.”

Ofsted inspector Christine Pollitt said in her report: “This is a good school where all groups of pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities and from a variety of ethnic backgrounds, make good progress in their academic work and personal development, so that they are well prepared for their future lives.”

She said the school governing body was highly effective and that teachers had high expectations of children.

Ms Pollitt said the school needed to provide more challenges for the higher achieving pupils, and improve attendance rates.

Lyn Davies, 52, from Latimer Road, whose daughter Hayden, 10, is a pupil, said: “The school has changed fantastically.

“There is much more energy, much more drive for improvement – and I think the children associate with the school much more than they did previously.

“The teachers tell me my daughter is one of those pupils who are more able, but she is having a fantastic time in Year Five.

“The headteacher in particular has been a fantastic influence on the school.

“She seems to know every child by name and when there have been problems she has been approachable and not at all defensive.”