THERE were celebrations all round for teachers and pupils of Low Furness Primary School after a praise-packed Ofsted report lifted the school from special measures.

Government-appointed inspectors had been unhappy with standards at the Great Urswick school in 2002 and demanded improvements.

Now, after a return trip in November last year, the superlatives were flowing as the Ofsted team applauded pupils and teachers for their hard work and concluded that the school was making good progress.

Head teacher Margaret Longstaffe, who took up her post in September 2003, was praised for her enthusiasm and "tireless work" to take the school forward.

Pupils' attitudes and behaviour were said to be "very good", and the inspectors added: "The pupils were caring towards one another, polite and respectful to adults and the pupils of the week' wore their golden sweatshirts with pride. This is a marked improvement since the inspection of 2002."

The inspectors concluded that teaching now was "good overall" with some "very good" teaching as well, while school governance had "improved significantly."

To improve further, the Ofsted team wanted to see rising standards, particularly in writing and maths, more improvements in teaching and more use of assessment to inform teaching.

Mrs Longstaffe said the inspector's comments reflected the huge amount of hard work that had taken place since 2002.

"We are very proud of the report, which celebrates the many successes of our wonderful children and the dedicated and talented staff at Low Furness," she said.

Victoria Ashfield, Cumbria County Council's director of education, added her congratulations, describing the Ofsted report as "well deserved recognition" for a lot of hard work.

Meanwhile, chairman of the governors, the Rev Colin Honour, described the positive report as a credit to all concerned. "The school is rightly at the hub of an exciting and dynamic partnership between school, church and the wider community. The future looks very bright."