STAFF and pupils at a Weymouth infant school and nursery are celebrating a very positive inspection report.

Ofsted inspectors believe Wyke Regis Infant School and Nursery is a 'good and improving school that does well for its pupils'.

The inspectors, led by Brian Rowe, praised effective teaching, very good planning and a positive environment to support learning at the school.

The report is a great improvement on the school's last inspection in 1998 when it was observed that standards had declined because of severe disruption through staffing issues.

It was noted that there had been rapid progress and the recommendations identified in the previous inspection had been successfully addressed.

A statement from headteacher Margaret Davies and the governors said: "We are delighted with the excellent outcome of the Ofsted inspection.

"It completes a very successful year for the school. In April the school was awarded the Investors in People standard - the national standard for organisational excellence in improving performance through people - and in May the school received a School Achievement Award for raising pupils' attainment."

Mrs Davies added: "We are pleased that the inspectors recognised the quality of education at the school and the improvements we have made.

"It is a tribute to the hard work of staff, governors, pupils and parents."

The inspectors praised 'very purposeful leadership' by the headteacher which had resulted in good improvements to many aspects of school development including raising the standard of pupils' work, the quality of teaching and learning, curriculum and long-term planning.

They also highlighted the quality of teaching as a significant strength of the school as well as good progress made by pupils, the high quality of provision in the nursery and reception years and parents' 'outstanding contribution' to children's learning. Areas for improvement, which will form the basis of the governors' action plan, include the use made of assessment information, the overall provision for design and technology and provision for supporting the most talented pupils.

Attendance was noted as unsatisfactory, due in part to illness with outbreaks of stomach upsets and chicken pox as well as the large number of parents taking their children on holiday in term time.