PUPILS and staff were full of smiles after receiving a glowing Ofsted report for their school.

Inspectors carried out the inspection of Bledlow Ridge Primary School, Church Lane, Bledlow Ridge, in February and reported back this week.

The report said the school was: "A very happy and effective school. Teaching is of good overall quality with much outstanding teaching for pupils aged seven to 11.

"The school is led and managed very well, and gives very good value for money."

Chairman of governors at the school Josie Dougall said the inspection was a true reflection of the school.

She said: "We're absolutely delighted. It confirms all the effort and hard work we've done."

Mrs Dougall paid special tribute to the management structure and headteacher Rosalind Rochefort.

She said: "We're a small village school and the way we deploy our staff helps the children learn.

Mrs Dougall added: "I can't say enough how hard the staff work. It's a real team effort."

Bledlow-cum-Saunderton Parish councillor for Bledlow Ridge Nigel Cox said it was great to see the work of the school acknowledged but what impressed him the most was the improvements made by the school.

He said: "They've done extremely well. What you've got to do is improve on the previous Ofsted and that is what they've done.

Cllr Cox added: "The problem is how do they do better next time!"

The inspection report said that the school was providing satisfactory education when it was last examined in December 1996.

It adds: "Since then, standards have improved significantly. Increased staffing has been skilfully used by the headteacher and governors to reduce class sizes and the school has invested in experienced and highly-skilled teachers.

"Improvement since the last inspection have been very good and has left the school very well placed to improve further."

The success of the inspection comes on the back of the Bledlow Ridge School coming top of the league tables in Buckinghamshire in the SAT examinations.

Mrs Dougall said the school also benefited from parental support.

She said: "We get a lot of parental support in fundraising events."

A recent event raised £2,200 for the school.