A HEREFORDSHIRE primary school is celebrating after its first Ofsted inspection in over a decade.

Ashperton Primary Academy received an overall 'good' rating, with quality of education, leadership and management, and early years provision all rated as 'good', while behaviour and attitudes and personal development were found to be 'outstanding'.

Inspectors said the school, which became an academy in 2012, had been exempted by law from routine inspection until 2020, meaning there had been a longer gap than usual between inspections.

It was last fully inspected before gaining academy status in 2009.

The report, published on May 17, said pupils are really proud to belong to the school and value the opportunities they have, which include many trips and visits that enrich the curriculum.

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Leaders have high expectations of pupils, expecting them to do their best, and have made sure the 'ambitious' curriculum is 'expertly planned' in nearly all subjects.

Behaviour is exemplary, and pupils understand the importance and consequences of their actions, the report said.

Talents and interests are developed, and leaders work with 'well-supported' staff to identify the needs of pupils with special educational needs quickly.

There is room for improvement in some areas, inspectors said, finding that some activities are not as well focused on the needs of children as others, while some improvement is needed to the school's phonics reading system, as while it was found to be carefully sequenced, books do not match the sounds pupils are learning closely enough.

Headteacher Chris Bandfield said staff were delighted to have received such a positive report.

"We are especially pleased that our commitment to creating a positive, respectful environment where children feel safe, happy and listened to and our work to offer a wide range of opportunities to support children's academic, personal and social development have been recognised," he said.

"To maintain these standards for so many year is testament to the commitment and aspiration of our entire school community.

"A very special thank you to our amazing team for their unrelenting dedication and commitment."

Chair of Governors Jacqueline Dodds said she was "immensely proud" of the inspection outcome.

"Our staff continue to provide and develop an educational environment where all children can achieve their full potential," she said.

"The staff at Ashperton always go the extra mile to ensure that the children thrive through a broad range of learning experiences whilst maintaining a happy, safe school environment."