A PRIMARY school in Loftus, east Cleveland, has received a glowing report from Government inspectors.

The Ofsted report said that St Joseph's Primary School was a very good school with a happy and hardworking community, where teaching is very effective and standards are high.

The report gave "excellent" ratings for children's attitudes to school, behaviour and personal development and relationships, with "very good" for attendance.

Teaching across the age ranges was good, sometimes excellent.

The report said: "The best teaching has an inspirational quality, which motivates children so effectively that they produce results which are outstanding for their age.

"The school's strong pastoral care encourages children to develop excellent attitudes for their learning. The rich variety of experiences given motivates children's learning even more."

The report praised the "outstanding" leadership and management of headteacher Mike Atkinson, and gave more "excellent" ratings to the school's performance evaluation and strategic use of resources. It said: "The school has no significant weaknesses."

Mr Atkinson said: "Everyone in the school community is delighted that the report recognises the link between high standards and children's enjoyment of exciting learning experiences."