A PRIMARY school is celebrating after an Ofsted inspector praised staff and gave the school a 'Good' rating.

St George's Community Primary School on Clarence Road, Portland achieved the same ranking as its previous inspection five years ago.

Ofsted gives schools an overall rating of either outstanding, good, requires improvement or inadequate.

In the report published on November 19, the headteacher, Josephine Luxon, and staff at the school received praise for having very clear and high expectations.

In describing what it is like to attend the school, the report said: "The school’s motto of ‘Inspire, Believe, Achieve’ sums up St George’s Primary School. Pupils are inspired by interesting and captivating lessons. Staff believe in every pupil. Pupils achieve well, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

"Staff and governors have a shared vision that the school is at the heart of the community on the island. They are ambitious for pupils to have a good knowledge of Portland, as well as being prepared for adult life in the wider world. Staff know pupils and their families well. Pupils say they are well cared for. Bullying is very rare. If it does occur, adults deal with it quickly.

"Pupils are proud of their school. They have many happy memories of the things they have learned. They say that their school is amazing. It makes them ‘smarter’ and ‘more responsible’. Parents are happy with the school."

The report did point out one area the school could improve on and said the range of activities did not always support pupils to secure key subject knowledge systematically over time.

It said: "The topics taught in different year groups do not contribute to pupils acquiring key knowledge and skills in the foundation subjects consistently over time. Leaders should improve the intent of these subjects in line with their ambitions.

"They should clarify the rationale for the programme of learning and how it is relevant for the pupils of St George’s. Leaders should determine what pupils should know, understand and achieve in the different subjects by the time they leave. They should then strengthen the curriculum and assessments to meet these expectations."

A spokesman for the primary school said: "St Georges School is proud to share with the community that the report from their recent Ofsted Inspection has been published, confirming that the school continues to be a good school.

"While staff and governors at the school were never in doubt that the result of any inspection would be positive, it is lovely to see such a positive review with leadership, teaching and governance all praised.

"It is great to see one of our local schools receive the praise it is due, especially in the context of the difficulties schools have faced over the last two years."