A determination to aspire to "infinity and beyond" has paid off for Weston Park Primary School.

The learning watchdog Ofsted says the 225-pupil school in Long Cross, Lawrence Weston, has made considerable improvements in the past year and standards have risen significantly.

The inspectors' report praises head teacher Jennie Cutler for motivating staff to aim high for the benefit of pupils.

But it says the school, which it notes is in an area of severe deprivation, has difficulty persuading parents to become involved in their children's learning.

Lead inspector Christine Huard rated Weston Park, which is due to merge with Bluebell Valley Nursery School in September 2010, satisfactory overall and well placed to continue improving.

In a letter to the children, she said: "You certainly seem to be very happy and it was good to hear how you enjoy your work and all activities in which you are involved. You behave well and are keen to learn."

The Ofsted report said the new and radically revised curriculum was providing more relevant and practical opportunities for children to develop English and maths skills.

More regular opportunities to do this should be provided and teachers should keep the pace of lessons brisk and have high expectations of pupils, the inspectors recommended.

Mrs Cutler said she was proud and privileged to have led the school through a successful Ofsted inspection.

"I am very pleased that the inspection team recognised the hard work that we have all done over the last year. Staff have pulled out all the stops to give pupils lots of extra help and we have all been rewarded by the rapid progress that some pupils have made because of better teaching.

"The areas for improvement that the inspection team have recommended are perfect to help the school in the future give pupils an even better deal and the staff are already working on these. We are continually encouraging children to appreciate their teachers, to use what they have learned in lessons to help them in life and to tell their families about all the exciting things they do at school.

"Above all, we need more parents to get involved in their children's education so that together we can raise standards even further. Nothing is more valuable than giving our children a good education."