A PRIMARY school is celebrating a positive report from Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) inspectors.

Gainford CE Primary School, near Barnard Castle, was described as an effective school following an inspection last month.

The school, which has 82 pupils, was praised for its consistently good teaching, rich curriculum and wide range of after-school activities.

The high standards achieved by the pupils, their good attendance and their enthusiasm for school activities were singled out for praise.

The good links the school has with the parents and community were also commended.

Headteacher Howard Blindt said the good report was down to work by the whole school community, the pupils, teachers, governors and parents.

Mr Blindt, who has been at the school for two years, said: "We are very pleased that the report threw up no surprises, and feel it is deserved."

The report said the school needed to raise standards in writing if it was to improve, and needed to ensure the monitoring of teaching and learning by senior teachers was rigorous.

Mr Blindt said: "Our reading levels are very high, and although our writing levels are in line with national expectations they are below the reading levels.

"Also, with a small school, it is difficult to release teachers for specialist subjects. But this is something we are aware of and are trying to resolve."