A school which has 'come a long way' in three years is celebrating a good Ofsted report.

Government inspectors said Christopher Rawlins Church of England Voluntary Aided School in Adderbury, near Banbury, had developed a positive ethos and that parental confidence was high.

Their report stated that the pupils liked the school and were proud of it.

The leader of Oxfordshire County Council, Keith Mitchell, joined parents and children on Wednesday to pay tribute to the staff who had improved the school since its last inspection four years ago.

Mr Mitchell had special praise for headteacher Rose McCready, who took charge in 2000.

He said: "The encouraging improvement is due to Mrs McCready and her staff who have turned the school from not brilliant to very good. In particular, Mrs McCready has had a very positive influence. She is a 'good news' person." The school's chairman of governors, Donald Higham, also praised Mrs McCready's leadership.

He said: "She has been instrumental in achieving significant improvements since she came to the school."

Mrs McCready said: "The dedicated and purposeful teamwork of the teachers and all the staff has brought about improvements and the inspectors recognised this."

The Ofsted report found the quality of teaching and learning at Christopher Rawlins was good overall and that there was a high standard in art and music. It said there was an atmosphere of mutual respect, within which pupils related well to each other and to the staff.

An action plan to tackle areas which need improvement will be produced in the near future.

The school, which was founded in 1589, has 159 pupils. TOP MARKS: By the end of Year Six, standards are well above average in art and design and above average in music and physical education

The headteacher provides very good leadership and clear direction and has created, with staff, effective team work and a positive ethos

Pupils' attitudes and behaviour are very good overall

Teaching is good in Years One to Six and pupils learn effectively as a result

Provision for pupils with special educational needs is good

Effective partnerships with parents, the community and other schools have been established and these contribute well to pupils learning and achievement. ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT: Standards are below average in writing by the end of Year Two and Year Six

Planning and provision for children in reception are underdeveloped

Standards in mathematics at the end of Year Six are well below the average attained by similar schools.