THE latest inspector's report on progress at Upton Primary School has been welcomed as a major breakthrough in the school's recovery.

It is the first time progress has been rated as "good" since the school was placed on Special Measures in February last year, having previously been judged "reasonable."

Chairman of governors Jon Parsons has hailed the new report as a powerful vote of confidence in headteacher Mark Mumby and his team.

The inspector made special mention of the efforts of the management team, praising the development of the head's leadership and saying that the strong partnership of Mr Mumby and deputy head Alison Marsh was driving the school forward.

"When you go into Special Measures and you have a new team, there is a lot to learn and we made a few mistakes at first," said Mr Parsons. "For the last three inspections we have had the same very thorough inspector, who has been very supportive.

"Since her last visit we have started to get a lot of things right and what she now sees is a positive and purposeful atmosphere."

The inspector spent two days in school and observed seven complete lessons, of which all were satisfactory and four were deemed "good" or "very good."

Recent changes in staffing were considered positive and well judged and there was good progress in Special Needs provision.

There were improvements in pupils' work and behaviour, classroom displays and teachers' expectations and assessment of pupil progress, but some suggestions were also made for further improvement.

"Good progress is the best you can get, so we hope that over the next two visits we will maintain this rate of progress and get out of Special Measures early," said Mr Parsons.

Mr Mumby expressed his delight at the report.

"It's a real mark of progress for the school," he said.

"It really looks and feels different and that's a credit to the children and staff.

"We want to maintain this good progress and my ambition is to get out of Special Measures ahead of the education authority's target of summer 2002. That would be an admirable achievement."