A Hartlepool school once deemed to have serious weaknesses is celebrating a good report from government inspectors.

St Helen's Primary School, The Headland, is now said to be very effective following an Ofsted inspection carried out in November last year.

A previous inspection in November 2001 found serious weaknesses, particularly in relation to standards and progress in the core subjects of maths, English and science.

Headteacher Lara Totty and her staff are credited with leading a turnaround in the school's fortunes.

The report said: "This is a very effective school. Standards are rising rapidly and are close to national averages in English, maths and science.

"Pupils attitudes and behaviour are even better than they were. Teaching is much better than it was and assessment is now a real strength."

Mrs Totty said: "We are delighted with this report, which has been achieved through sheer hard work by lots of people.

"Certain people may have been singled out for praise in the Ofsted report, but the biggest factor in our success has been teamwork."

Only two areas of improvement have been identified by the inspectors. They say there is a need to continue to raise English standards, particularly in handwriting and spelling.

They also want the school to implement planned developments in information technology so resources are improved and better use is made of technology across the curriculum.