BEAMINSTER School is a good school with a calm environment that creates a harmonious atmosphere – and is achieving above average in maths and English, according to Ofsted inspectors.

The school’s pupils behave well, enjoy coming to learn in an environment they feel safe in, thanks to good teachers, managed well, says the Ofsted report.

Lead inspector John Carnaghan said students’ achievements had risen sharply in the last year raising it above average in key areas.

Headteacher Mike Best said the school was rated good at its last inspection five years ago and in that time the bar had been raised.

He said: “This upward trajectory is very, very pleasing.

“This confirms our view that we are continually improving.”

The school has been told it needs to mark work more consistently, offer more challenges in its resource base and try and raise attendance to above average.

Mr Best said: “We are always seeking increased consistency and I think that is to do with addressing detail all the time and always pursuing improvement. The report is an endorsement of all the hard work over the years.

“There are some lovely comments in the report which reflect values on what we want our children to experience.”

“I’m very proud of our achievements. We have been commended for our excellent outcomes, the best in Dorset, and for our students’ strong moral and social development. “The words collaboration, trust and attainment feature highly in the report. “ We are doing a great job and we will keep on improving. To be told that our school is “a harmonious place to learn and grow” is a real accolade. Mr Carnaghan said: “Lessons are noticeable for their calm.”

The report says that with more effective teaching and a wider range of subjects the six form students’ achievements were higher than previously.

It praises the headteacher, senior staff and middle managers for working as a team to make improvements.

The school was judged good in all categories from the achievement of pupils, to quality of teaching, pupils’ behaviour and the school’s leadership.

Mr Carnaghan said: “Bullying of all kinds is very rare and students report that any incidents are quickly and efficiently dealt with.”

He added that GCSE and A Level results had risen sharply.

He said: “This is commendable given that the school includes a unit for students with complex learning needs. Given the variety of barriers to learning they face, the strong support and nurturing they receive enable most to make good progress, not just academically but also in their personal and social development.

“The school provides well for sixth form students who find learning difficult.”

Teaching is rated as good and sometimes outstanding, with stimulating activities, with teachers setting high expectations.

The trust staff given students is rewarded by hard work, say the inspectors.

Mr Carnaghan said: “Students’ strong moral and social development is both evident in the warm relationships and routine collaborations across the school.”