A COMPREHENSIVE school has received a glowing report following an Ofsted inspection.

Shotton Hall School, in Peterlee, has been described by inspectors as "an improving school which is well thought of by the local community".

Both teaching and learning were found to be good in all years with pupils making good general progress.

Ian Mowbray, the school's headteacher, said that he was pleased that the Ofsted report found much improvement since the school's last report in 1998.

The report revealed that teaching and learning had significantly improved with 96 per cent of lessons being satisfactory or better and 67 per cent of lessons being good or better.

There have also been marked improvements in attendance and student behaviour.

The inspectors reported the school as having an optimistic and positive ethos with the students taking great pride in their school.

The findings also indicated: "Extra-curricular activities and the high quality of music and drama productions play an important part in the life of the school as does its very good developing role in the local community.''

Delighted with the report, Mr Mowbray said: "It is a fair and balanced view of the progress that the school is making.

"The areas that Ofsted inspectors indicated still need improvement, have, to a great extent already been identified and we have begun to put systems in place to ensure that appropriate levels of progress are made."