PUPILS and staff at a Dales school are celebrating after inspectors found that it was 'good' in all areas.

Kettlewell Primary School has "improved significantly" since its last inspection in 2013, inspectors found.

The Ofsted report said that the school's leaders, including governors, had raised pupils' achievement significantly. Pupils' progress was good, and all groups, including those with special needs, achieved well.

The lead inspector graded the school as 'good' in all areas – leadership and management, behaviour and safety, quality of teaching and the achievement of pupils.

Highlighted as the school's significant strengths were:

• The high expectations and ambition of senior leaders and governors.

• The progress of all pupils, including those with special educational needs.

• The high quality provision for children in the early years foundation stage.

• Good teaching, particularly in reading and mathematics.

• The well-mannered, courteous pupils.

The inspectors were also impressed by the partnership with Upper Wharfedale Secondary School and the educational benefits of the collaboration.

Executive headteacher Andrew Taylor said: “It is very pleasing that the hard work of pupils, staff and governors has been recognised and that our own evaluation of the school has been confirmed.

"We are confident that we can make even more improvements as we enter into a formal federation in the new academic year.

"The educational landscape is changing fast and we are facing a significant financial challenge, as are many schools.

"This judgement will go some way to confirm that by working in partnership we can improve the provision throughout our communities.”

The inspectors also said that the teaching of reading and mathematics was especially good. Teachers understood what was expected of them, which resulted in improved teaching and faster progress for pupils, they concluded.

There was praise too for the behaviour of pupils, who were described as "well-mannered, courteous and polite".

The report says: "The school is a very happy place where pupils and staff care for one another. There are good procedures in place to ensure that pupils are safe."

Inspectors also pointed out that the school was "not yet outstanding" as "at times, teaching does not expect enough of pupils and there are inconsistencies in marking and feedback to pupils."

Chairman of Governors Anne Vetch said: “As we enter into formal federation with Upper Wharfedale School, we do so full of optimism for the future of both schools and their excellent provision for young people."