Pupils, parents and staff are celebrating the results of an inspection - but there is still work to be done.

St Michael's Primary School in Lyme Regis has been rated as 'good' by Ofsted.

Inspectors visiting the school found that, following a previous assessment in 2013, standards of teaching had declined, as had pupils’ performance by the time they left the school. Ofsted's annual Education, Children’s Services and Skills report, published in December 2017, revealed St Michael's to be one of six schools in the county which failed to meet the Government’s floor standard for performance. Pupils’ progress during Key Stage 2 was below the national average in reading, writing and mathematics.

However, during the latest inspection, Ofsted inspectors found that since the appointment of headteacher Nick Kiddle in September 2016, there has been a 'systematic approach is tackling any legacy of underperformance and raising expectations at the school.'

A report published following the inspection states: 'Parents, carers and. especially, staff recognise the positive difference [Mr Kiddle's] leadership is making. For all who work at the school, it is a very happy place where pupils play together full of enthusiasm and enjoyment. All staff used the words ‘togetherness’ and ‘teamwork’ when describing the culture of [the] school; these features contribute strongly to the school’s welcoming atmosphere. Your dedication combines well with that of your spirited team.'

Staff and governors at the school are 'delighted' that inspector Richard Light 'captured the ethos of the school so well.'

Mr Kiddle said: "He found that there was a collective ambition to help pupils successfully overcome any barriers that they may face in an environment where laughter fills classrooms, echoes down the corridors and cascades around the staffroom.

As a result of the inspection, the school's overall grade for effectiveness was 'good'. Mr Light described St Michael’s as having a welcoming atmosphere, a very happy place where pupils play together full of enthusiasm and enjoyment.

'His report also identified the next steps in developing the school based on the achievements so far including; building on and embedding the curriculum and teacher knowledge in maths, consistency in the approach to the teaching of writing and reading, with a focus on boys, and ensuring that the monitoring of teaching and learning continues to move forward with a clear outcome led approach.'