OUTSTANDING pupil behaviour and ambitious leadership have helped Yattendon School score a "good" rating from Ofsted.
In September 2010 a new management team, led by head teacher David Cole, set about improving all aspects of life at the 350-pupil Horley school, which had previously been rated only "satisfactory".
And their hard work finally paid off last Thursday when the school watchdog increased the school's rating to "good", praising teaching standards, pupil behaviour and leadership.
It was an early birthday present for the Oakwood Road school, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary in September.
Mr Cole said: "We are very proud. Everyone worked very hard, it has been a proper team effort. The children are fantastic."
During their visit at the end of last month, inspectors rated the school as "good" across the board, but singled out pupils' behaviour as "outstanding".
In her report, lead inspector Justina Ilochi said: "Pupils' behaviour is exemplary because of the active role they play in ensuring that behaviour around the school is exceptional and attitudes to learning in lessons are outstanding."
Speaking to the Mirror, Mr Cole and chairman of governors Sarah McHardie praised the work of the school community in bringing about improvements.
Mr Cole said: "The thing we have worked hardest on is relations with parents.
"There is a brilliant community at the school."
Mrs McHardie said: "This report recognises the work the school has put in.
"We have a great group and team to go forward with."
The "great group" and sense of community includes the school's 7 to 11-year-old pupils, who were praised in the report for their "excellent social skills".
Elizabeth Winters, nine, told the Mirror: "No child is left out.
"Each teacher makes it so much fun."
Outside the front gate, parents and former students agreed wholeheartedly with Ofsted's findings.
Debbie Marti, who has a son and daughter at the school, said: "There is a great link with the parents and my children love everything about the school; they never don't want to go to school.
"There is such a happy atmosphere; they have got everything right."
Charlotte Foakes said her two girls love being at the school.
She said: "It has changed since the new head came in.
"The pastoral care is amazing. It is a bit of a family, it's really nice."
The Ofsted team highlighted self-evaluation as being key to Yattendon's success, using outside assessors and implementing checks which Mr Cole described as "robust, regular and accurate".
But the work is not finished – the report highlighted attainment of some pupils, leaders checking on small groups, and pupils working without teachers' help as areas in which improvement was still needed.
Mr Cole said: "The next step is to be outstanding. That's where we want to be."
