WITCHFORD S Rackham Primary School has won praise from education inspectors who found it was a good school with a deserved, high local reputation. Government inspectors from OfSTED – the Office for Standards in Education – described teaching and learning

WITCHFORD'S Rackham Primary School has won praise from education inspectors who found it was a good school with a deserved, high local reputation.

Government inspectors from OfSTED - the Office for Standards in Education - described teaching and learning as good and said the school, which caters for 312 pupils aged between four and 11, takes excellent care of pupils.

But, although the school's strengths far outnumber its weaknesses, it was urged to focus evaluations of teaching more sharply on what pupils are learning and the progress they make, and to ensure that skills pupils acquire in enrichment weeks are used more routinely in lessons.

"In all classes, teachers and pupils have very good working relationships," the inspectors said in their report. "Consequently, pupils enjoy their learning, are hard-working, well-behaved and eager to succeed.

"The effective deployment of teaching assistants and support staff contributes well to the good progress made by pupils with learning difficulties. Assessment procedures are effective.

"The school takes excellent care of pupils and makes sure that they are safe. This first rate level of care makes pupils feel very well looked after."

Pupils in turn were highlighted for their good behaviour and positive attitudes.

"Pupils' personal development is outstanding," added the report. "Pupils have extremely positive attitudes towards the school, are very well-behaved, polite and have good relationships with staff and with one another.

"Consequently, the school is a happy and caring place in which all children feel valued and safe. Pupils' moral and social development is exemplary," added inspectors.

The leadership of headteacher and the school's governing body were also praised. "Senior leaders work well as a team and teachers receive good professional development," said inspectors.

"The governing body provides strong backing for the school and are good ambassadors for the school in the community."

Headteacher, Sid Wales, said: "This is an excellent report brought about by a combination of dedicated, hard-working, professional staff, wonderful children who are justifiably proud of their school and its achievements, a hard working group of school governors who give up many hours of their own time, and the overwhelming support of the vast majority of parents.