A PRIMARY school is celebrating after receiving a ‘Good’ rating from Ofsted.

Dent CE Primary School achieved ‘Good’ in every category in its first full-graded inspection since 2014. 

The inspection was led by His Majesty’s Inspector Victoria Burnside, whose report stated that 'pupils thrive in this small and joyful school'.

The report praised the pupils’ 'strong and trusting bonds with staff and with each other', the pupils’ enthusiasm for learning and the school’s 'high expectations for pupils’ achievement'.

They also highlighted the 'wide range of enrichment activities that the school provides beyond the academic curriculum' which 'enable pupils to develop exciting new interests and find undiscovered talents'.

Headteacher David Prescott said: “We are extremely pleased that the Ofsted inspectors recognised the many strengths of our uniquely nurturing and joyful school.

"We believe our children should be equipped for success whatever they go on to do, so it was especially good that the inspectors identified how ambitious our curriculum is, and what an amazing variety of opportunities for personal development we offer. We believe that even though we are a tiny school our children should not miss out on any opportunity."

Notable strengths of Dent CE Primary School in the report include its highly effective provision for pupils with special needs, its emphasis on the love of reading and the consistently good standards of behaviour. The report also explained that pupils 'flourish in their various roles and responsibilities and 'are proud to care for their local and wider community'.

Inspectors described the curriculum as 'ambitious' and 'diligently considered', and their recommendations for development included to finalise 'curriculum thinking' and 'approaches to checking pupils’ learning' in a few subjects. 

"The recommendations in the report align with our existing school development priorities," explained Mr Prescott.

"The report is evidence of the diligent and committed work that staff have done in recent years to make our school the best it can be, and it is wonderful that Ofsted have seen how children thrive and succeed in our school".