BRIXINGTON Primary School has been praised by the education watchdog for improving standards, which it says are going to get even better in the future.

BRIXINGTON Primary School has been praised by the education watchdog for improving standards, which it says are going to get even better in the future.

Four inspectors from the school standards agency, Ofsted, spent two days at the 451-pupil school earlier this month.

They say the school has successfully negotiated a difficult period when an acting head was in charge until last summer - the new head, Jon Galling, took up his post only last month.

The chief inspector, Grahame Sherfield, said: "Pupils enjoy school and behave well within the caring, friendly and supportive environment created by the staff.

"Since 2007, the school has successfully improved pupils' progress by the end of Year 6 (11 years old).

"Satisfactory progress is now securely in place, with some evidence of an accelerating pace, particularly in Years 5 and 6."

He wrote that, in just a month, the new head had 'quickly' established clear priorities for improvement and praised the support he received from senior staff.

He said, although children start with skills below expected levels, they make a 'flying start' in the Early Years Foundation Stage.

"The capacity to improve further is good," said Mr Sherfield. "As a result of good provision, children make good progress in all areas of learning."

He said that right across the school the curriculum met pupils' needs, especially in promoting their 'wider personal development' and information technology.

Parents told the inspectors how happy their children were at the school: "The sense of community in the school is strong and there are good links with the local community."

He added that to continue improving the school should ensure teaching was matched to individual needs and that every pupil knew what to do to improve in English and maths.

Head teacher Jon Galling said: "I am very excited about what the future holds for all those associated with the school.

"There are many significant positives in this report - a reflection of the vast progress the school has made in a short period of time.

"It also stresses the confidence the inspection team has in this progress being continued through the dedication and skill of a committed staff group, the support of parents and governors and the hard work of the children.