A NEW Forest school has improved to a good standard say inspectors.

Hyde Church of England Primary School has been upgraded from satisfactory to good by Ofsted inspectors.

The report found that pupil progress is improving, and that teaching is consistently good as a result of good leadership.

Inspectors found the school has a strong sense of purpose and teamwork, with teachers planning challenging and exciting tasks to suit pupils of all abilities.

Pupils were found to have a real sense of community and were seen to be well behaved, kind and polite to each other.

Music was found to be an exceptional strength of the school, with pupils being given excellent chances to learn and play instruments and perform as well as to sing and to act.

However it highlighted a number of areas the school can improve on to achieve the highest Ofsted rating of outstanding.

The report said: “There is not yet enough teaching which is outstanding, particularly of phonics and in a minority of lessons pupils are not challenged to complete enough works and occasionally are too satisfied working at too leisurely a pace.”

Headteacher Julie Dalziell said: “We are delighted that this report and good grading fully recognised the strengths of our unique school and the special opportunities it provides.

“Our hard working team of staff, governors, parents and children are totally committed to further improvements which will include the report’s recommendations that, in order to increase the amount of outstanding teaching, we develop pupils’ confidence and accuracy when spelling ambitious words and ensure that more lessons include a greater sense of pace.

“It is reassuring to know that OfSTED feels the school is well placed to achieve these aims and improve further.”