A WEST Devon primary school has won high praise from Ofsted inspectors for the good quality of its education and its many outstanding features.

Three inspectors from Ofsted spent two days at South Tawton last month.

The report states that pupils at South Tawton Primary School are achieving high academic standards, as well as with their own personal development.

Praise was given for the leadership of headteacher Heather Poustie, and the school's enthusiastic, well-informed governing body.

The inspection was carried out under tough new guidelines introduced this term, which makes it more difficult than before to achieve outstanding judgements.

Lead inspector Colin Lee said: 'This is a good school and it has outstanding features in all aspects of its provision.

'Much of this is due to the school's high expectations, particularly of the standards pupils should attain and of their attitudes and behaviour.'

Mr Lee said pupils got off to a flying start in the early years foundation stage, where they started with skills close to national expectations and left with above average standards in all areas of learning.

He said: 'Parents really appreciate the strong home-school partnership that fully involves them.

'By the end of their primary career, the children are achieving well above average levels in English and science and nationally expected standards in maths.

'Work is already under way to raise standards in maths to the levels of other subjects.'

Mr Lee said both teaching and learning was good at the school.

He said: 'There is some particularly outstanding teaching.

'Pupils enjoy coming to school and they know they are cared for well and they make a real contribution to the school community.'

Mr Lee said pupils told him they appreciated the family atmosphere of the school and their parents saw it as a vital part of the village community.

He added: 'The headteacher provides outstanding leadership and staff and governors respond to her drive with a shared ambition for school improvement.'

The report stated that to continue to improve, the school should raise standards in maths and ensure pupils' tasks in lessons match their needs.

Headteacher Mrs Poustie, said: 'We are very pleased to be judged as a good school with outstanding features under the new inspection regime which has raised the bar considerably.

'We were informed of the inspection less than 48 hours before it started and felt proud that the children were not fazed by the sudden arrival of other adults in and around school and spoke confidently and honestly about their experiences at South Tawton Primary.

'I know that we are fortunate to have so much support from the whole school community and this helps to make it such a happy and successful school.'

Mrs Poustie said staff had been working hard to raise standards in maths and to improve assessment for learning.

She added: ' We know that we have been making good progress, but of course the full impact cannot yet be measured.'