STAFF, children and parents are celebrating at a Stroud primary school after it received a good Ofsted rating a few years after being placed into special measures. 

Inspectors visited St Matthew's Primary School in Cainscross on Tuesday, September 26 and Wednesday, September 27, five years after it was placed into special measures following an Ofsted grade of inadequate, the lowest possible rating. 

Members from the school, which at the time of the recent inspection had 199 pupils between the ages of 4 and 11 on its roll, have been celebrating this recent transformation in its Ofsted grade. 

As well as receiving an overall rating of good, St Matthew's received a good rating for all five categories -  the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management plus early years provision. 

Inspectors found: "Pupils are proud of their school and every one receives a warm welcome when they arrive each day.

Stroud News and Journal: Children and staff celebrate at St Matthew's Primary School after a good Ofsted gradeChildren and staff celebrate at St Matthew's Primary School after a good Ofsted grade (Image: UGC)"Pupils feel safe and they have secure, positive relationships with each other and staff.

"They understand the school’s values of perseverance, respect, courage, forgiveness, compassion and friendship.

"The school is ambitious for all pupils.

"Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are identified quickly and effective support is put in place.

"The school supports pupils to learn what it means to be responsible, respectful and active citizens. 

"Pupils develop an understanding of equality, tolerance and differences.

"They understand the importance of positive physical and mental health.

"The arrangements for safeguarding are effective."

In terms of improvements, inspectors however found that assessments were not used well. 

Inspectors said: "Teaching does not always check with precision what pupils know and remember. 

"The trust needs to ensure that teachers use assessment effectively to so that pupils secure and deepen their subject knowledge."

The school says they are working on this.  

Mr Lucas, executive headteacher, said: "We are delighted with the report which reflects the hard work of everyone involved in the school.

"I would like to personally thank all the staff and governors for their unwavering dedication in everything we’ve been doing, helping us on our fantastic journey back to being a good school, at the first time of asking.

"We all know that St Matthew's is a very special place for children to learn and we're so pleased that the inspectors saw what we see every day."