SEVERN Beach Primary School has been praised for its ambition for continued improvement.

The village school was awarded just a 'satisfactory' rating following its latest visit by government inspectors from Ofsted.

Lead inspector David Carrington said in his report that frequent changes of staff, through unforeseen circumstances not any dissatisfaction with their jobs, had been a barrier for the school’s improvement.

However, he congratulated the staff and governors on their approach to the school’s future.

He wrote: "Now that staffing appears to have become more settled, teamwork has been bolstered and renewed enthusiasm is emerging to meet the different challenges the school faces.

"The head teacher provides a firm steer to the school’s work and sets right expectations to move the school ahead."

Jackie Daffon, head teacher, said the report had reflected the hard work being done by staff and had been encouraging.

She said: "Ofsted acknowledged that the school isn’t standing still. We’ve got our sights set on even greater things in the future.

"No one can predict what’s going to happen with staff changes and it creates a challenge for the school and parents, but we are very much looking to the future."

Severn Beach’s Ofsted report described its reception class as a success story, applauding the teaching style and progress made with pupils, and pupils’ behaviour and their contribution to the school community was also highlighted as good by the inspectors.

The report said: "Pupils are generally enthusiastic learners in their lessons. Most enjoy school. They build the necessary skills to help them in their next stage of education."

Severn Beach Primary School was given three areas to improve; to accelerate pupils’ progress, improve the quality of teaching, and promote leadership.

Mr Carrington said the school may receive a monitoring visit by inspectors before its next full Ofsted visit in three years' time.