INSPECTORS have praised ‘significant improvements’ at a church primary school in their latest report.

Hapton CE/Methodist Primary in Manchester Road, Hapton, saw its Ofsted rating leap from satisfactory to good following a visit earlier this month.

Headteacher Jacquie Clarke said she was ‘thrilled’ at the progress made since the school’s previous inspection in January 2012.

Diane Auton, Ofsted’s lead inspector, highlighted pupils’ behaviour as ‘outstanding’ and the school’s ‘excellent information and communication technology resources’.

Miss Clarke said: “We now want to build on this report and there is no reason why the next inspection can’t be judged as outstanding.

“Everyone at school is thrilled with the report. We have a great team of staff, parents and governors who have worked tirelessly to ensure we continue to improve.

“We are delighted with the report, which confirms the great strides made since the previous inspection.”

The report, based on a visit on November 6 and 7, said: “The last inspection identified the start of an improvement trend and the school has continued to flourish under the astute and skilful leadership of its headteacher.

“Over a relatively short period, effective action by leaders has brought about significant improvements in teaching and in pupils’ achievement.”

The school, which has 120 pupils aged four to 11, was told there is still work to be done to improve teaching standards.

Miss Clarke said: “The most important group are our children. The inspector recognised that pupils’ attitudes to school and their work is exemplary and therefore the behaviour and safety of pupils were judged to be outstanding.”