A Lydney Primary School has been rated ‘good’ in all areas by government inspectors.

The inspection team from Ofsted praised Severnbanks Primary School for being “at the heart of it’s community”.

The headteacher of the school in Naas Lane, Mrs Sara Poole, said she was delighted by the positive comments, which also commended the school’s leadership and for its positive approaches to behaviour and safeguarding.

The inspectors said: “Leaders want all children to do as well as they can.

“Leaders prioritise pupils’ health and well-being. They focus on developing pupils’ language and reading.”

Inspectors say that since the last inspection in 2018 the school has improved support for pupils with special needs and disabilities and upped the attendance rate.

The school works well with parents and external agencies to improve pupils’ attendance when it is too low.

Inspectors found there is little poor behaviour and when it occurs it is dealt with effectively.

The inspectors said reading was at the centre of the curriculum with teachers focusing on developing vocabulary and understanding,

In nursery and reception, the focus is on and speech and language.

Children are happy and confident in these classes and soon develop their independence, say the inspectors.

While the inspection found that in most subjects, pupils’ learning is carefully checked,.in a small number, staff do not know whether the pupils are learning the curriculum well.

Staff “should ensure that careful checks are made on pupils’ learning in all subjects.”

Teachers receive effective training and support in most subjects, but not in all.

“This means that a few pupils do not learn well in some subjects.

“Leaders should ensure that there is a strong programme of staff training and support, so that teachers become confident in teaching all subjects.”

Headteacher Mrs Sara Poole said she was delighted by the positive comments, which also commended the school’s leadership and for its positive approaches to behaviour and safeguarding.

She said: “I would like to congratulate the staff and pupils on their consistent hard work, commitment and resilience, especially in these difficult times.

“We are, however, always looking for ways to improve and we are already making good progress through the measures we have implemented through our own self-evaluation.

“I’m very excited for the future of the school.”

Severnbanks is currently a standalone academy but will be joining the Severn Federation Academy Trust in partnership with Lydney, Aylburton, Bream and English Bicknor schools.