A PRIMARY school has improved considerably since its last Ofsted inspection five years ago, officials reported yesterday.

Inspectors from the Office for Standards in Education visited Throston Primary School, in Hartlepool, as part of its national programme of school inspection.

Their report stated: "This is a good school with some outstanding features.

"The school has improved considerably since the last inspection, in November 2000, particularly in standards achieved by year six pupils, and demonstrates that it has the capacity to continue to improve.

"Children's personal development and well-being are outstanding and children say that the school is wonderful.

"They feel that they learn a great deal because the lessons are very interesting."

The report also said teaching and learning were good overall, and that the high quality of relationships between staff and children led to good concentration and excellent behaviour in lessons.

Headteacher Jean Hart said: "This is an extremely positive report and everyone involved with the school is naturally delighted.

"We do try ever so hard to give our pupils the best possible start in life."