BADSEY First School's 'warm and caring ethos' has been singled out for praise in its latest OFSTED inspection.

Staff and pupils were keen to top their previous good report in 1999, which prompted a visit from former OFSTED head Chris Woodhead. The inspectors visiting the school this September were particularly impressed with provisions made for gifted and special needs pupils.

The report stated: "The needs of all pupils, including those who have special educational needs, higher attaining and gifted and talented pupils are met, and the school is providing a very good quality of education.

"Pupils' attitudes, relationships and behaviour and provision to promote the school's warm and caring ethos and learning ethic are all significant strengths of the school. Parents contribute significantly to the life of the school and to their children's education. The school's relationship with parents is now a significant strength."

Headteacher Elizabeth Spencer, who is a former pupil of the school said: "I am delighted with this report and I would like to thank the entire team at Badsey First who have created such a happy, positive and 'good' school."

Mrs Spencer and her staff were also praised in the report, which described her quality of leadership and that of the governors as 'very good'. The pupils demonstrated good achievements in English and maths, with high attendance rates and punctuality. The report added: "Pupils enjoy the school very much and feel valued and respected."

But the report did highlight the need for improvement in 'minority' areas of teaching, where certain lessons did not match the school's general standard. It also said that marking needed to better inform pupils about how they could improve their work.