STAFF and pupils at a Hampshire infant school are celebrating after being given a big thumbs up by education watchdogs.

Ofsted inspectors rated Crofton Hammond Infant School in Stubbington as "a good school with significant strengths".

A report just released upgraded the school from satisfactory to good and said that standards throughout were rising rapidly.

Head teacher Julia Salt said: "We have worked hard to develop more exciting and active ways to promote learning and to extend children's skills. We encourage children to show independence in learning."

Inspectors, led by Paul Baxter, emphasised the high quality of teaching, which has resulted in pupils achieving well above average standards in the core subjects of English, maths and science.

Children, aged between four and seven, were said to be happy and to love going to school.

The 180 pupils have "very good behaviour and attitudes which reflect the warm encouragement given by caring adults".

The report, published following a visit in February, noted the high number of children working at levels above those expected for their age.

Governors are very supportive and share a clear vision for the future of the school, and parents' views of the school are good, with CHIPS, the parent-teacher fundraising association, raising substantial amounts.

Teaching, learning, leadership and management are all "good overall".

However, teachers need to up the amount of practical activity in classes and improve their marking.

Both these areas for improvement are being addressed, the school says.

THE OFSTED INSPECTORS' ASSESSMENT

STRENGTHS:

Pupils' very good personal qualities, including excellent relationships, are strongly promoted by the staff and make a significant contribution to their academic learning.

The vision and sense of purpose of the head teacher and the links with parents are excellent features that impact upon the school's successful ethos of care and achievement.

In response to mostly good and often very good teaching, pupils achieve well and reach well above average standards by the time they leave the school.

The spiritual, moral and social development of the pupils, the provision of care, health and welfare and the partnerships with the community and other schools are very good and strengthen pupils' learning.

WEAKNESSES:

The few less successful lessons do not include enough opportunities for pupils to learn through practical activity.

Teachers' marking in subjects other than English does not always identify sufficient ways of improving to the pupils.

AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT:

Improve the quality of teaching and learning in some lessons by increasing practical activity.

Improve teachers' marking in subjects other than English.