A PRIMARY school received a ‘good’ rating in all categories after an inspection carried out by Ofsted.

Fairfields Primary School, in Council Road, was visited by inspectors from the watchdog on October 12, after which it was rated ‘good’ and told the school leadership team has maintained a good quality of education.

The success in the report was put down to the new appointment of the headteacher, Kelly Dillon, who, the report read, has “secured substantial and sustained improvements in the school’s work since [her] appointment in September 2016”.

She was praised as having “built a strong team of teachers, teaching assistants and governors who are committed to continuing to provide high-quality education for all pupils” and has “re-established a confident, hard-working atmosphere in the school and refocused the team on the key priorities for the school’s development.”

Miss Dillon, headteacher said: “It’s great that the report recognises the hard work that the staff have done in the last year. The pupil voice was also driving this, they have been guiding the change and making suggestions for improvement, and that comes right from Key Stage 1 upwards. I’m so proud of our performance and am really looking forward to the future and how much we can change and improve.”

Since the last inspection, Ofsted noted there has been a large focus on improving English teaching, which it was reported has brought rapid improvement to pupil’s progress.

Inspectors added the headteacher is planning to introduce the same methods so the standards are higher in mathematics as well as English.

Safeguarding is also reported as being effective, pupil safety is said to be “given the highest priority” and procedures have been strengthened so they are more fit for purpose.

Pupils were said to feel respected, valued and secure and all parents who completed Ofsted’s online questionnaire felt their children are safe and happy in school while attendance also improved.

The report suggested some improvements such as leaders of the school hoping pupils make better progress in mathematics, so that standards are higher at the end of Key Stage 2.

Alongside this, teachers must help pupils to develop the confidence and skills needed to persevere when tackling more challenging work.