CALLOW End CE Primary School has been rated as satisfactory in an Ofsted report.

A Government inspector praised the personal development of pupils, described them as "exceptionally well behaved" and said the school had a welcoming community and strong family ethos.

However, the school was criticised for low writing standards and for failing to sufficiently challenge higher attaining pupils.

Although national test results were good or very good, the inspector felt pupils' achievements were inconsistent and the quality of teaching needed strengthening.

Headteacher Sue Sawle said she was generally pleased with the re- port.

"It didn't tell us anything we didn't know and hadn't already got strategies in place to deal with," she said.

Writing, particularly boys' writing, is a national issue according to Mrs Sawle.

"Here, results have shown our boys' writing to be above the national average and we're always looking to improve," she said.

Children at the school came out very well in the assessment.

"In my letter to parents introducing the report, I said we all feel very, very proud of our children. They really are a great strength," said Mrs Sawle.

The report praised the school's varied and interesting curriculum. Mrs Sawle said initiatives like its Forest Schools project were an example of this.

Children have been able to enjoy outdoor creative play and learn about the environment in the wooded area for the past two years.