A SCHOOL has unburdened itself of an 'inadequate' rating and regained Ofsted's seal of approval.

New Marston Primary School in Oxford was placed into special measures in 2016, after gaining the watchdog's worst rating, and forced to convert into an academy.

Three years on, the 367-pupil school has now been rated 'good' in all areas, climbing up two rungs of the ratings hierarchy.

The new report, published on Monday, said: "The school is a warm, welcoming community.

"The values of growth, kindness, grit, belonging and integrity lie at the heart of the school’s work.

"Pupils are happy, cheerful and thoughtful towards others. They told inspectors that bullying does not happen."

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Inspectors saw vast improvements since the Copse Lane school's last visit in 2016, when a fall in standards led to it being downgraded from its previous 'good' judgement.

The River Learning Trust, which runs about 20 other schools including the Cherwell and Swan in Oxford, took it over and appointed Tracey Smith as headteacher.

Ms Smith said of the new report: "This is fantastic for all the staff who have worked so hard, and for the pupils and parents who have bought into what we are doing.

"We are all going to have a very deserved party next month to celebrate, but we are not taking our eye off the ball.

"We have created a school that the community of New Marston and Northway can be proud of.

"Now we have a responsibility to make sure we keep up the good work."

Ofsted said staff and pupils 'share a love of reading' and said the curriculum is 'ambitious'.

The report added: "Pupils move around the school politely and with respect.

"They share and debate their ideas in lessons in a mature and considerate manner."

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Inspectors said children are taught about a range of cultures and traditions, and are 'prepared well for life in modern Britain'.

The report said: "Pupils work with leaders to organise and run a number of ‘international community events’ in school.

"These help them understand their place in the world."

New Marston's chair of governors Nick Chatrath said the Ofsted result was 'brilliant but not a surprise'.

He explained: "You only have to walk around the school for ten minutes to see what a special place it is.

"We are delighted that Ofsted have recognised that we are ambitious for all pupils.

"It's fantastic to hear the inspectors appreciate the warmth of the community, the maturity of the children and the fact that children feel safe when they are here.

"The senior staff won’t want personal praise, but they are highly talented, committed and inspirational."