OFSTED inspectors have praised a Kidderminster school for the "considerable" improvement in the quality of teaching since the last inspection.

Their report says St Oswald's CE First School and Nursery performance in national tests seemed to show standards at least below the national average in reading, writing and mathematics. But it added this did not tell the whole story as the significantly larger number of pupils with special educational needs lowered average scores.

As a result of very good teaching by Key Stage 1, pupils in Years One and Two were making rapid progress and standards were improving at a very good rate, inspectors found.

But they said this "brisk progress" was not reflected in Years Three and Four.

The number of children with special educational needs is currently 29 per cent above the national average.

Pupils' enthusiasm and attitude to school is described as generally good although unauthorised absences are described as well above the national average.

Links with the community are said to be strong and inspectors found the school was obviously held in a high regard by parents.

Headteacher Barry Jenkins said staff and governors were delighted with the report.