A HEREFORDSHIRE primary school has kept its good rating from Ofsted after a challenging time during the pandemic.

St Mary's CE Primary, in Fownhope, said it is proud of its achievement in maintaining its good status in the face of the pandemic challenges.

Ofsted praised the maturity of the pupils who enjoy talking with each other and visitors and are eager to learn.

Ofsted was impressed with the caring and nurturing environment. Older pupils enjoy helping younger pupils and truly show the school values through their actions.

Inspectors also said staff's caring and nurturing relationships get the best out of their pupils, and they talk confidently about what they know and remember.

Ofsted was also pleased that the school is moving on from Covid-19 with normal routines back.

But the inspectors also said staff regard reading as important, but resources and routines do not fully support this. As a result, some pupils are not inspired to read regularly.

Leaders should continue to update resources and re-establish reading expectations after Covid-19 disruptions, while teachers should improve the quality and organisation of reading areas and the regularity of hearing pupils read, said Ofsted.

The high expectations for how often pupils should be listened to read and how pupils enjoy reading and being read to was noticed.

Staff are skilled at getting everyone involved with stories and pupils say they love the voices their teachers put on and the expression they use.

For the school to improve Ofsted said leaders need to help pupils to be reassured that all incidents of unkind and poor behaviour are dealt with.

Headteacher Tim Milne said: "We are proud to be awarded Good by Ofsted again.

"We work hard at both ensuring academic standards and nurturing the whole child – giving children opportunities to explore and grow at art, music, and sport, as well as thinking for themselves.

"Children enjoy coming to school and are encouraged to display Christian values in their everyday interactions.

"We have a committed team of staff and governors who really care for the welfare of each child, and we have great support from the village community. Everyone here has played a part in making the school the success that it is".