SIDMOUTH’S St Nicholas Junior School has been praised by Church of England inspectors- weeks after dropping down an Ofsted ranking.

SIDMOUTH’S St Nicholas Junior School has been praised by Church of England inspectors- weeks after dropping down an Ofsted ranking.

The Woolbrook Road hub was this week acclaimed and upgraded from “good” to “outstanding” by Diocese of Exeter evaluators for the care, guidance and support given to pupils and its leadership and management.

Diocese of Exeter inspector Wendy Simmons visited the school last month.

She said: “The headteacher leads a committed team of enthusiastic staff and governors who co-operate very well together for the benefit of all children. Parents spoken to are very happy with their children’s education.”

She added youngsters’ spiritual, moral and social development was top-class.

The Diocesan inspection follows an Ofsted report which this term labelled the school’s overall performance as “satisfactory”. It was rated “good” in 2007.

Headteacher Paul Walker said he was pleased. Both inspections praised the behaviour and attitudes of children, their outstanding attendance, promotion of healthy lifestyles and contribution to the wider community.

“We are all delighted that the Diocese of Exeter report has upgraded St Nicholas since our last inspection,” he added.

“We will work hard to continue to improve everything we do.”

l Activity Day - see page 18.