by Linda Tanner

Another landmark has been reached in the quest to improve education in Bristol, as the city no longer has any "inadequate" schools.

Ilminster Avenue Primary in Knowle West was the last that remained classed by the watchdog Ofsted as in need of "special measures", but now inspectors rate it as satisfactory.

It is a big step forward from two years ago when six of Bristol's 110 primaries were in the lowest Ofsted category.

Head teacher Margaret Powell said: "We've been on a long journey to improve standards at Ilminster Avenue. I'm delighted the school has come out of special measures but we still have a great deal to do and there are still challenges ahead."

Chairman of governors James Wetz said: "This report demonstrates clearly the school has the capacity to address the challenges it faces.

"The governors are committed to working with staff and parents to ensure Ilminster Avenue Primary School is a safe, happy and challenging community, with an unrelenting commitment to checking no child gets left behind."

Education leaders are pleased at the gradually improving picture but say there is a lot more to be done, as too many children are still leaving primaries without reaching the academic standards expected for their age.

Heather Tomlinson, Bristol City Council's strategic director of children, young people and skills, said: "This is brilliant news for the school and for its local community, and the result of a great deal of hard work by many people.

"It's also a significant milestone for the city to have no schools in this Ofsted category.

"I am delighted for everyone who has contributed to this major achievement."

The cabinet councillor responsible for schools, Peter Hammond, said: "I'm delighted we no longer have any schools in Bristol in special measures.

"We've seen seven primary schools this year judged as outstanding and I hope to see a growing number reach this standard next year."

Schools are placed in special measures when inspectors decide they need intensive supervision and inspection to drive up standards.

Some schools judged inadequate are given a notice to improve but Bristol now has no schools in this category either.

However, it does have a number of schools which are classified by the Department of Children, Schools and Families as "hard to shift" on the basis that their results have remained unacceptably low for several years.

Ilminster Avenue went into special measures in December 2006. Ofsted returned last month and found progress had been made in a number of areas.

They reported that pupils' achievement by the end of Year 6 was now satisfactory overall and good in science. This was the result of better leadership and management at the 253-pupil school, the inspectors said.

The children's behaviour was also said to be better, leading to a reduction in the number of exclusions at the Bristol school.