MITCHELDEAN Primary school has continued a 17-year run of endorsements with yet another glowing Ofsted report.

An inspection in June this year reaffirmed the school’s rating as ‘good’ - the second highest possible below ‘outstanding’.

This follows similar findings in four previous inspections dating back to 2000.

Chief inspector Julia Carrington noted: “The leadership team has maintained the good quality of education in the school since the last inspection.

“The school’s motto, ‘achieve, believe, contribute’, is borne out in all aspects of school life.

“The strong leadership of leaders at all levels, including governors, at this securely good and improving school enables continual improvement and refinement to the school’s work.

“As a result, the school does not stand still and any relative weaknesses are addressed quickly.

The inspector singled out head teacher Mrs Julia Dowding for special praise: “You are a determined and effective leader with a drive for excellence in all aspects of school life," she said.

“You are proud of the wide contributions pupils make to the community through their charity and enterprise work. Pupils show a sense of pride in the part they play in making the school the best it can be."

A delighted Mrs Dowding said: “The school is very pleased with the inspection finding as the indication that was fed back to Governors was that they had come very close to considering an outstanding judgement.”

And on behalf of both herself and the Rev David Gill, Chairman of Governors, she thanked pupils, staff, governors, parents and Friends of Mitcheldean School for their continued hard work, support and goodwill.