A SOUTH Craven school is celebrating after being ruled outstanding in all areas by Ofsted inspectors.

Lothersdale Community Primary School received top marks in all categories - achievement of pupils, quality of teaching, pupils’ behaviour and also leadership and management.

Inspectors, who visited the 107-pupil school in July, found that headteacher Jo Robinson, together with the support of staff and governors, provided “outstanding leadership and management”.

The school was praised for building on its track record of consistently reaching very high standards.

“The headteacher is very skilful in supporting staff to improve their practice and developing their areas of responsibility.

“As a result, middle leaders carry out their duties very well, contributing to the school maintaining the outstanding quality of teaching and pupil achievement identified at the previous inspection,” said the report.

Pupils were found to make rapid progress in reading, writing and maths, reaching well above average standards.

Teaching was never less than consistently good, and often outstanding, with teachers doing all they could to make work not only interesting, but exciting.

Behaviour was excellent, pupils were proud of their school and it was highly prized by parents.

In addition, governors were highly supportive of the school, but at the same time providing a strong level of challenge.

They had a “high level of expertise” and a “very sharp understanding of what goes on in the school and what pupils achieve”.

The school’s Early Years Foundation Stage was also seen as a major strength.

Martin Ellison, chairman of governors, welcomed the report. He said: “The recent changes in the methods Ofsted use to measure schools’ performance has made it increasingly difficult to be judged outstanding.

“The result of our inspection is testament to the diligence, passion and commitment of Mrs Robinson, the teachers, and all the support staff and governors.”