PROUD teachers and pupils at a school near Petersfield are celebrating a “good” report.

Steep Primary School was adjudged to be a continuing good school following a visit from an Ofsted inspector, who said that the school had “maintained and built upon its previous strengths” and provides a “close-knit family atmosphere” with an “open-door approach”.

Governors of the Church Road school were “very pleased” with the Ofsted inspector’s judgment of the school under the leadership of headteacher Lou Romans.

“It was a very positive report and highlighted the good work that Mrs Romans and her leadership team continue to do.”

In her report, the inspector, Louise Adams, noted that “parents consider themselves to be fortunate to be part of the school community” and are “rightly pleased with the education and care provided”.

The report went on to praise the confidence and independence demonstrated by the children in their learning and the good behaviour in lessons and collective worship which, the inspector said, was a pleasure to observe.

Throughout the report, the children’s responsibility for their own learning shines through, she added.

The report went on: “Pupils reflect effectively on their learning from an early age, and this is developed to a sophisticated level as children move up through the school.”

The school was also commended for “rising standards”.

The inspection also found the village school’s safeguarding procedures to be “effective” and as a result children feel “very well cared for” and “very safe”.

Headteacher Mrs Romans said: “I am really pleased with the outcome of the inspection and particularly pleased that the report recognises the strong family ethos of our small rural school, as well as commending its academic standards and continued improvement.

“With raised aspirations, we will continue to ensure children at Steep enjoy the best possible education and care we can offer.”