PUPILS, teachers and parents at a village school are celebrating after it received a good Ofsted report.

St Mary's CE Middle School in Puddletown was described as a 'good school and one that is rapidly improving' by Ofsted inspectors, who visited last month.

The school was graded 'good' in all key areas with progress in science, pupils' behaviour and children's personal development being described as 'outstanding'.

Headteacher Carl Winch said: "I am delighted by the inspection outcomes, which support my view that this is an excellent school."

The good report follows an announcement earlier this month that the school had achieved specialist status in maths and science alongside St Osmund's Middle School and Dorchester Middle School.

The recent success in obtaining science college status was acknowledged by the inspectors. They wrote: 'The strong focus on science has resulted in pupils consistently making outstanding progress in this subject.' They said that teaching and learning at the school is good and, as a result, children achieve well and standards are high.

The inspectors acknowledged the very good progress made in years seven and eight, particularly in mathematics and science, where pupils achieve outstanding results. Children at St. Mary's take the Key Stage Three national tests a year early.

Inspectors commented that 'while learning is often fun, there is a seriousness of purpose in classrooms.' But they said that the school needed to raise standards and achievement in English at the end of year six by setting appropriately challenging work for pupils of all abilities, and especially the more able.

Leadership and management of the school was described as 'good at all levels'. It was commented that the headteacher, Carl Winch, 'leads the school with integrity and is determined that every pupil will achieve their potential'.