A DERWENTSIDE school that beat its national tests target for seven-year-olds has won praise from inspectors.

Leadgate Infant School and Nursery Unit provides a very good quality of education, which enables pupils to reach very high standards, according to an Ofsted report.

A strong team spirit, excellent use of computers and good links with the community were highlighted.

The school is in an area of high social disadvantage and 38 per cent of pupils get free meals, well above the average.

But the inspectors placed Leadgate in the top five per cent of similar schools in the country. The report said: "There are so many adults working in the school that pupils get almost individual attention most of the time.

"This means that work is matched very carefully to their needs and supports learning very well.

"This is a very effective school. Teaching is very good and this in turn promotes very good learning and very high standards.

"Pupils are taught to look after each other and they do this very well.

"The adults in the school know each child so well that they work together as one big happy family."

Rolls have fallen in recent years and this year the 86 pupils are just enough for three classes - but governors saved enough money to run four.

School headteacher Pat Davison said: "The pupils match the enthusiasm of staff and governors and I am proud of the superb results we have achieved."

The school's rich and broad curriculum was reflected by it winning a National School Achievement Award, she said.

The inspectors recommended that attendance rates should be improved. Governors are planning to tackle the problem.