A MILLOM school has been praised for its "happy and friendly atmosphere" after maintaining a good accreditation in its recent OFSTED inspection. 

A SCHOOL has been praised for its "happy and friendly atmosphere" after winning high praise in a recent report by education watchdog, Ofsted.

Staff at Millom Infants School are celebrating after being singled out for positive comments in an inspection carried out at the end of March. 

This was the first short inspection to be carried out at the school since it was judged to be good at a full inspection in February 2011. 

Feedback from the inspection said: "Leaders and governors have maintained the good quality of education in the school since the last inspection. 

"You have established a happy, friendly atmosphere where pupils grow in confidence, achieve well and develop a strong grounding for further learning.

"Staff work together productively, sharing ideas and expertise."

Pauline Webster, headteacher at the school, was delighted with the result and congratulated staff on all their hard work. 

She said: "We've still maintained our 'good' ranking and we're really pleased with that because the framework has changed several times since we had our last inspection. 

"It's important that we deliver the best for the children and everybody has worked really hard to maintain those standards.  

"It is hard work keeping at that standard because there's always more and more that's expected of schools."

The school was praised for its engagement with both pupils and the wider community in addition to the special attention it pays to nurturing every child. 

Mrs Webster said: "We like to think we're a very happy school and that we have a good relationship with our families and they have been really supportive of the school. 

"Because we're a small school we're very good at knowing every child. We think that's really important to inspire confidence and self-esteem. The more self-esteem they have, the more they're going to learn.

"Every child is an individual and it's really important to meet every child's needs."

The school, which caters for children aged between four and seven, won the admiration of inspectors through their innovative "nurture group", in addition to the range of different activities on offer that are designed to inspire learning and development. 

Mrs Webster said: "We try to make learning fun and do things that interest them. We look at the children's individual interests and do things based on them. We try and do lots of things in the community as well - we're a hub of the community really."

Read more:

Drive to stimulate toddlers with 'brain time' embraced by Barrow nurseries

Schoolchildren put politicians through their paces

Plastic bags raise £12,000 for Silecroft children's play area