INSPECTORS have praised a Southampton infant school for its quality of teaching.

They found pupils were very well behaved and achieved well at Freemantle C of E Infant School.

The inspection team from schools watchdog Ofsted (the Office for Standards in Eduction) spent three days at the 180-pupil school in Mansion Road.

Head teacher Kevin Barnett, who took over in April 2003, said: "The report acknowledges the fact that we are a school which continues to improve. We are proud of the achievements of our staff and pupils and look forward to extending this work. We will continue to look at enhancement of the curriculum and the provision we offer our children."

Chairman of governors Sue Osment said: "The report reflects the great strides the school has made under the new head teacher."

Inspectors recommended that the school boost attendance levels. A new scheme introduced in May last year has already proved successful in reducing the number of parents who take their children on holiday during term-time.