Bristol school is making the grade

Pupils and staff at Staple Hill Primary School are celebrating going up another grade after Ofsted inspectors said it provided a good and improving education.

Just four years ago, the school had been issued with a notice to improve.

But rapid progress has resulted in it now being rated as good, with children's positive attitudes to learning, their good behaviour and hard work resulting in good progress.

The school has more than 370 pupils, with an increasing number coming from homes where English is not the first language.

There is also a higher than average percentage of pupils with special educational needs or disabilities.

Inspectors said most children started at the school with "a lot of catching up to do" but they settled into the nursery and reception years extremely well and made good progress. By the time they left, they attained average standards overall.

Lead inspector Mary Harlow said: "All groups, regardless of their ethnic background, achieve well, with the exception of boys in writing.

"Pupils enjoy their learning and their good attitudes and behaviour are key factors in their good progress. They respond enthusiastically to the consistently good or better teaching they receive, try with sustained endeavour to meet the high expectations set by staff and take delight in their accomplishments."

Mrs Harlow said most aspects of pupils' personal development were good and their cultural development was outstanding.

But there were some who did not know how to improve their work and some more able pupils were not consistently challenged.

Writing among boys was a particular weakness, which was a significant factor in the generally lower rates of progress they made in English compared to girls

But she said monitoring by head teacher Peter Foss-Clark and governors was rigorous, staff were dedicated and keen and all were ambitious for the future. The school had good capacity to improve further.

Mrs Harlow said pupils had a stimulating curriculum, with art and music especially strong features, and pastoral care was a strength

Although overall attendance was slightly below the national average, it was improving.

Mr Foss-Clark, who joined the school in September 2008, said: "We are delighted with this positive report. This is a great school. All our staff have worked hard to ensure that every child at Staple Hill receives a rounded education which enables them to achieve their potential."