AFTER years of missing out on top ratings from inspectors pupils and staff at St Amand's Catholic Primary School are celebrating following their most recent inspection.

The school was rated good by Ofsted- the watchdog's second-highest category- after hard work by headteacher Helen Ellery and her staff.

Now the 121-pupil school in East Hendred is looking towards achieving even more in the future.

Mrs Ellery, who is in her fourth year at the school, said the biggest factor was the "commitment in tenacity" of teachers, non-teaching staff, the leadership team and governors.

She said: "We have worked incredibly hard to raise the teaching, learning and outcomes in maths, which was an area for development in the last inspection.

"We are already hard at work to ensure that the quality of writing is equally consistent.

"Teachers in our school are reflective and work together to continually improve their teaching and the children's learning."

Ofsted rated the school good in all areas apart from personal development, behaviour and welfare where they said it was outstanding- the highest possible rating.

Children's behaviour was praised and they were said to be excited and enthusiastic as they learned.

Mrs Ellery said pupils played a big role in the way the school was run, particularly when it came to keeping children safe.

She said: "Our school council last year was instrumental in coming up with fundraising ideas which they put to the parent teacher association, which supported them.

"The whole focus was on raising money for outdoor play equipment in the foundation stage.

"The wooden climbing boat was one of the things they raised money for.

"The council is important in keeping children safe, they do their own presentations for the school and focus on anti-bullying."

As a small rural school and a Catholic school St Amand's has close links with the community and with Catholic organisations.

East Hendred Catholic Charitable Trust matched the money raised for play equipment and the school regularly fundraises for the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD).

Mrs Ellery said: "We do lots to give back.

"Our children go to sign at the older people's group in the village and we invite members of that group into school and children in years five and six will play games with them."

Following the praise from Ofsted Mrs Ellery said she is keen to make sure the school keeps moving forward and gives its pupils the best possible education.

She said: "We have to look at key targets, writing is one area where we want to make sure is of an equally high standard as maths and reading.

"We have just bought a tray of 16 iPads, funded by the PTA, and that will link to improving learning.

"But our curriculum also extends beyond English and maths and we value the importance of creative arts, music and sport, providing a wide range of opportunities that develop the whole child so that each one has a healthy attitude and a positive self-esteem."

St Amand's most recent Ofsted report

FOLLOWING an inspection in March Ofsted said St Amand's Catholic Primary School was good in all categories apart from personal development, behaviour and welfare, where it was rated outstanding.

Inspectors praised the determination of headteacher Helen Ellery in improving teaching and learning and said teaching across the shool was good.

Teaching assistants were said to make an important contribution to pupils' learning and children were reported to be "very happy" in school.

Lead inspector Richard Blackmore said: "The behaviour of pupils is outstanding. 

"Attitudes to learning are excellent and in all classes there is a tangible air of excitement and enthusiasm that ripples from one child to another as they learn. 

"Pupils make great efforts with tasks and questions that they find difficult.

"Pupils are highly confident and fully prepared to put forward their views in a thoughtful and respectful way.

"This is because they are taught how to listen carefully to the views and learning of others and present their own view in a clear and polite manner."