PUPILS and staff at Townhill Infant School are holding their heads high after being ranked as a very good school in their latest Ofsted report.

Inspectors who spent three days visiting the school in Benhams Road, said: "Townhill Infant School is a very good school, where all pupils achieve very well.

"The school has made good improvement since the last inspection, especially in English and mathematics."

Head teacher Penny Orme was praised for being a "very effective leader".

Mrs Orme, whose school has 243 pupils aged between four and seven, said: " The staff and children have been working so hard and achieving such a lot over the last few years.

"It's fantastic to have our achievements recognised and confirmed by an independent body.

"My favourite quote from the report is: 'Pupils like school, say they enjoy their lessons and are proud of their school. Inspectors agree that these views are justified.' What more can I say?"

The Rev David Turner, chairman of governors, added: " The governors are delighted with the report.

"With the teaching being very good and achievement excellent in reading, writing and maths, we feel we have every reason to be delighted."

Areas for improvement which were identified by inspectors included improving the attendance and punctuality of a minority of pupils.

STRENGTHS

Year two pupils' achievement is excellent in reading, writing and maths because of very good teaching in these subjects throughout the school

Children are given a 'flying start' in reception which provides them with a strong foundation for their later learning - the overall attainment of pupils on entry to the school is well below average.

The overall leadership and management are very good.

Pupils with special educational needs make very good progress.

The school nurtures and cares for its pupils very well.

Pupils' personal qualities including their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development are good.

Pupils' attitude to learning are good.

Curriculum and extra curricular activities are very good.

WEAKNESSES

Pupils' attendance and punctuality are unsatisfactory because a significant minority of parents do not make sure their children attend regularly despite the school's good procedures.

The development of pupils' scientific enquiry skills is inconsistent in years one and two.

Computers are not always used frequently enough for helping pupils learn.

TEACHING STANDARDS

The school has made good improvement since the last inspection

Standards in English and maths are higher, standards in science are similar but standards in information and communication technology have slipped from above average to average.

The overall quality of teaching has improved with a higher proportion of very good and excellent teaching

Results in National Curriculum tests for seven-year-olds last year showed pupils achieved well above average in reading and writing and above average in maths when compared with similar schools.

PARENTS' AND PUPILS' VIEWS OF THE SCHOOL

Improve attendance rates and punctuality of the minority of families at fault

Ensure that all aspects of pupils' scientific skills develop evenly in years one and two

Ensure that teachers make full use of computers in years one and two