A SCHOOL has shed its 'inadequate' label and leapt up the Ofsted ratings after two years of hard work.

Wheatley CE Primary School near Oxford is officially out of special measures, having been given the watchdog's worst rating in April 2017.

It has now been rated 'good' following an inspection at the end of June, with inspectors praising staff for their 'deep commitment' to children's education.

A new report published on Thursday stated: "Leaders, staff and governors make sure that the school is a safe, happy and harmonious place where pupils can thrive.

"The quality of teaching and learning has improved significantly in most areas of the curriculum...pupils engage well with their lessons and are ambitious to do well."

Ofsted said reading and writing at the 255-pupil school had improved 'markedly', and said music was a particular strength.

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The report added: "Parents were overwhelmingly positive about the improvements that leaders and staff have embedded at the school.

"The school is highly inclusive, for example many pupils learn British sign language to be able to communicate with deaf pupils both at the school and the neighbouring school for pupils with special needs."

Inspectors also noted a 'significant improvement' in attendance and described pupils as 'articulate and confident learners.'

In the early years, the curriculum was hailed as 'stimulating, enriching and challenging.'

The school in Wheatley, which has had five monitoring inspections since being placed in special measures, was rated good overall and across all five core areas of assessment.

Oxford Diocesan Schools Trust, which runs the academy, said it is 'delighted' by the report.

Its chief executive Anne Davey said: "The community can now be assured that the children have the school they deserve, where they are safe, happy and receive an excellent education.

"I would like to thank all the staff, governors and parents who have supported the school and given their time and effort on this journey with us."

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In a letter to parents, the school's co-chairs of governors, Lou Golding and Liz Wickens, said: "This outcome has been a whole community effort.

"Our co-heads' excellent leadership and commitment has driven the school forward, the staff have persevered through a turbulent time and responded to the challenge with dedication and professionalism, [and] the children have responded enthusiastically and with resilience to the many changes in school."

The school became an academy in 2014 as part of the trust, which is the largest in Oxfordshire and runs 33 schools, mostly in Oxfordshire.

Pupil numbers have dipped since the 'inadequate' rating in 2017, when the school had 348 pupils on roll, but it is hoped the community's confidence will be reinstated now it has regained Ofsted's stamp of approval.