CHILDREN at Bishopstone Primary School exceed national levels in reading and writing and enjoy a range of opportunities, according to Ofsted inspectors.

The education watchdog visited the small village school last month and praised leadership and the school’s strong community presence, despite only having 40 children on the roll.

The school maintained the good rating it achieved at its last inspection in 2009.

Steps have already been taken to improve further towards becoming an outstanding provision.

Emma Lindsay, headteacher at Bishopstone Primary, said: “The whole community is delighted with our Ofsted inspection.

“It has highlighted our many strengths and achievements.

“Despite being a small school, this report recognises our aspiration to provide the very best for all of our children.

“Both governors and staff are pleased that all the comments in the report pertaining to further improvement opportunities relate to issues that have already been recognised and are in the current school improvement plan.

“The entire report is a celebration of what can be achieved when all within a community work together to ensure our children are valued, cared for and challenged to fulfil their dreams.”

Inspectors particularly praised the holistic nature of the school and strong ethos, as well as the breadth and depth of teaching.

The report said: “The school provides a remarkable range of opportunities, despite its small size.

"Pupils all learn a musical instrument and a foreign language; they acquire skills in computing and outside have the opportunity to enjoy an allotment and a woodland area.

“The links with the local community enhance pupils’ experience. The village hall is used as a teaching and dining area and pupils participate enthusiastically in a range of community and church events.

“The behaviour of pupils is good because pupils have respect for each other, for adults and have excellent attitudes to learning.

Bullying is rare.

“There are occasional minor incidents but the school deals with these swiftly and effectively. Pupils are confident that adults will help them when they have problems. They understand about different forms of bullying, say that there is no discrimination and have a good understanding of how to keep themselves safe when using the internet “Pupils make good progress because good teaching helps them to achieve well. Teachers’ expectations are high and they plan activities which stimulate pupils’ interest and extend their skills in most subject areas.”

Inspectors only recommended two improvements for the school, which was to ensure standards in mathematics — which do already meet national expectations — are as high as the school’s standards in reading and writing.

They also said teachers’ marking and feedback should more consistently help pupils to correct mistakes and improve their progress.

The report said: “The progress of some pupils in mathematics is not yet as strong as it is in reading and writing.

"Teachers do not always give pupils tasks to do that enable them to make good progress.

“Teachers’ marking and feedback do not always help pupils to correct mistakes and to improve their progress.”

For the whole report, visit reports.ofsted.gov.uk/inspection-reports/find-inspection-report/provider/ELS/126300.