A SCHOOL has been praised by inspectors after staff and parents helped turn it around.

The last time inspectors from the Government's Office for Standards in Education visited St Helen Auckland Community Primary School, near Bishop Auckland, they reported the school was "satisfactory".

But a recent inspection spoke of the huge progress made in the intervening four years.

The school, which is in one of the top ten per cent of the most deprived wards in the country, has also been given an Achievement Award from the Department for Educational and Skills in recognition of the improvements.

Headteacher Tom Violet put the success down to pupils and parents.

He said: "I think the pupils are more motivated and because their behaviour is better, the teachers are able to teach them the knowledge they are expected to teach.

"The parents are also interested in their children's education and supporting it more and more.