Pupils at Tower Hill Primary School in Witney make good progress and have a good attitude, according to Ofsted inspectors.

Members of the pupil council at Tower Hill School

In their report, they found that most pupils were of below average attainment on arrival, which dragged down overall results, despite significant improvement as they progress through the school.

On the other hand, the attitude of pupils to their learning and to each other was found to be the school's principal strength.

Tower Hill Primary School has 172 boys and girls aged from four to 11, which makes it of average size.

The majority live in local authority housing. A total of 12 per cent of pupils are eligible for free school meals, and 19 pupils have special educational needs, both figure broadly in line with national averages.

Pupils achieved satisfactory standards compared with similar children, and the leadership and management of the school were also described as satisfactory. Since the school was last inspected in 1998, problems with the design and technology and information technology courses in the junior section had been solved, as had issues over the appraisal of teachers.

Standards at the school were in line with those expected of similar children of primary age. In 2002, performance in English and Science was well below the national average, and below average in mathematics.

Results were improving, but no faster than they were nationally, inspectors found.

A notable weakness in pupils' work was the unsatisfactory quality of presentation and handwriting in books.

Last year, the school missed its targets for test results in English and mathematics, but this year there were signs that pupils were likely to meet the new targets, which were appropriately challenging.

Given that most pupils entered the school with below-average attainment but were now attaining average levels, most pupils made good progress and achieved well. The inspectors said pupils worked hard in lessons and could work independently using their own initiative.

They talked with confidence about their work, were friendly, outgoing and confident, and were capable of making reasonable judgements about the quality.

Chairman of governors Lynne Berry said: "The inspectors praised the standards of teaching and attitudes of pupils and overall, they found Tower Hill to be an effective school.

"We are extremely pleased that the friendly and supportive environment we have at our school has been recognised."