THE head of Disraeli Combined School, Nigel Cook, says his school's good Ofsted report is largely due to the hard work and inspiration of his staff.

The school, in The Pastures, High Wycombe, only came into being two years ago, formed when Tinkers Wood Combined, Bellfield First and Bellfield Middle schools were merged.

Bellfield First had been on special measures and Tinkers Wood had serious weaknesses. Mr Cook was brought in from The Meadows at Wooburn Green to turn their fortunes round.

The school was inspected for the first time in February and while not anywhere near the top of the academic tree, it gets praise for improvements in standards and in the children's behaviour and attitude towards learning and relationships, and for teaching and leadership.

Mr Cook told the Free Press that though results could still be improved, the school was getting there.

"It's a combination of factors the dedication of everyone involved."

The underachievement of the past is being tackled and children who have English as their second language or special needs are being given help.

The school also has a rewards system, including the Disraeli Dynamos, and has set up a school council where even five-year-olds can raise issues.

The school has 284 pupils. Teachers start from a challenging base in that 43 per cent of children qualify for free schools meals (a measure of deprivation).

More than half come from ethic minority backgrounds, 37 per cent are on the special educational needs register and attainment is well below average when they start school.