YOUNGSTERS and staff at a Kidderminster school are celebrating after a welcome turnaround in their fortunes following an Ofsted inspection.

St Mary’s CE Primary was given an overall rating of ‘good’ after inspectors visited the school on June 6 and 7.

The school was under pressure after two previous assessments in four years concluded that its performance required improvement.

But this time, inspectors praised the quality of teaching and learning, the effectiveness of the leadership, early years provision, the behaviour and well-being of children and the outcomes for pupils.

Head teacher Sarah Perrett paid tribute to parents and staff who had supported changes necessary to move the school forward during the last three years and said: “A third ‘requires improvement’ wasn’t an option.

“On the front of the report it says ‘This is a good school’. Our pupils, parents and staff deserve to have this written in black and white after all the hard work that has been put in.

“We are a team, and every member of the school community, makes a valuable contribution. This is a fantastic outcome for everyone.”

She also said that governors and staff had set themselves ambitious goals to keep on going from strength to strength.

She added: “Our pupils deserve nothing less than the best, and that’s what we’re going to deliver.”

The report said: “The head teacher has been unswerving in her determination to change the culture of the school to enhance the life chances of pupils. As a result, standards are improving rapidly and pupils receive a good education.

“Governors strongly support the school’s improvement agenda. Their range of skills and thorough knowledge of the school allow them to support leaders and teachers and to hold them to account.

“All pupils, including disadvantaged pupils and those who have special educational needs and/or disabilities, make good progress from their starting points. This is because they are well taught and well supported through the school.”