From David Hutchings, Exeter 382594, May 1, 2007

A NORTH DEVON junior school has been praised by education inspectors for its continuing improvement in standards and its outstanding work with partners.

Great Torrington Junior School's significant improvement was hailed by inspectors after their last visit in 2002.

Now they have rated every area of life at the school "good" following a return visit last month.

And they said Great Torrington's partnership work with other agencies in the area was outstanding.

"Torrington Junior is a good school," say the inspectors.

"The improvement is the result of a sharp focus on ensuring pupils' good personal development and well-being, coupled with maintaining the pupils' good behaviour.

"Teaching is good and promotes pupils' personal qualities and confidence to learn effectively.

"Good leadership and management by the headteacher and senior staff ensure there is a clear focus on improving pupils' learning as part of the Torrington Vision for the school and its local partners."

An inspector from the school standards agency, Ofsted, spent a day at Great Torrington last month and his report has just been published.

It singles out the outdoor Forest School activities for particular praise for promoting pupils' knowledge of environmental principles and life skills such as problem-solving in teams.

One pupil told the inspector: "Learning outside is really cool."

The report says the curriculum is good and there has been a marked improvement in ICT since the last inspection because of improved resources and planning.

"Physical activity levels for pupils are high thanks to the good range of extra-curricular activities and the timetabled exercise sessions held each morning. One child described this as 'awesome', " says the report.

Ofsted looked at seven separate areas of life at the 293-pupil, Devon County Council school.

The overall effectiveness of the school, achievement and standards, personal development and well-being, teaching and learning, curriculum and other activities, care, guidance and support and leadership and management were all rated good.

The inspector said children started school with standards that were generally below expected levels.

But, by the time they left, the school had added value and pupils were attaining broadly average standards.

The report says the school's capacity to continue improving is good. To do so, it should help pupils develop a wider written vocabulary and improve their ability to apply their number skills as well as ensuring teachers' marking gives good guidance to the most able pupils.

Headteacher Jim Cobbett said: "We are obviously delighted with the overall tone of the report but specifically its recognition of the success of our Forest School and the teaching of thinking skills.

"We were also very pleased that the inspection judged our partnership with other agencies as outstanding as this accurately reflects the emphasis we place on supporting each and every child, irrespective of their backgound and ability.

"Such a good report is not arrived at easily and reflects the hard work and

commitment of all staff, teaching and non-teaching."

NOTE FOR NEWS EDS: For more information and to arrange pictures, contact Jim Cobbett on 01805 623240.