A VILLAGE primary school has been given a good report from Government education inspectors.

Frosterley Community School, in Weardale, was described by inspectors from the Office for Standards in Education as "a very effective primary school" which "achieves highly in the National Curriculum test".

The school's 50 pupils were said to be responsible and well-behaved, have good attitudes, and were eager to tackle their work.

Teaching quality was rated very good throughout, particularly the way teachers created a pleasant environment in the classroom and supported children with special educational needs.

It was also praised by the inspection team, which visited the school in March, for providing a wide range of out-of-school activities and being well led by the headteacher, Mike Sharland.

The report said he had identified areas that could be improved, such as religious education for younger children and art and geography for the older pupils.

But it is not just inspectors who have a good impression of the school. Parents said their children liked the school and it helped them become mature and responsible.

Since its last inspection in May 1997, the school's governors and teachers have addressed problems, including behaviour management.