A WEST Dorset school is making ‘reasonable progress’ towards being removed from special measures by Ofsted inspectors.

Loders Primary School is celebrating after its second monitoring inspection earlier this month.

The school was placed in special measures in November 2014.

In his latest monitoring report, inspector David Edwards praised the school for improved quality of teaching and said the majority of pupils have made good progress during the academic year, plus the few disadvantaged pupils in the school are well provided for.

Acting headteacher Rowan Beecham said: “Our dedicated staff have worked tirelessly over the last six months.

“David Edwards was extremely complimentary about the progress we have made since his last visit.

"He agreed the majority of pupils have made good progress this academic year, with two of the Year 6 pupils achieving the highest level in mathematics.”

Mr Edwards confirmed staff and parents spoken to "were unanimous in their positive views about the school", reporting that parents’ confidence in the leadership has been restored. The pupils said they feel really safe and cared for.

The inspector also met with two senior leaders from the academy trust that the school will be joining and acknowledged that the academy is providing clear direction and support.

Assistant headteacher Beth McGrath said: “We are delighted that all our hard work has been recognised by Ofsted and that parents share our high expectations for the future of the school.”

In the November inspection, the school was required to improve the quality of teaching to be at least good or better throughout the whole school and so raise pupils’ achievement, as well as to improve the leadership of the headteacher and the impact of leadership and management.

Mr Edwards said: “Teachers acknowledge that there are weaknesses in pupils’ grammatical skills which will be a focus for improvement in the new academic year.

“The few pupils who require additional support due to their specific learning needs are making good progress relative to their starting points.

“Leaders of the academy trust are providing clear direction and support to teachers in helping them to plan and provide better quality teaching for pupils.

“Senior leaders have established good communication with teaching assistants. The additional training undertaken by teaching assistants is helping them to support pupils’ learning more effectively.”

The behaviour of pupils was seen as ‘typically good’ throughout the school.

In lessons, the inspector saw pupils speaking respectfully to adults and showing appreciation of one another. Outside lessons, pupils play well together and enjoy the space and good quality resources provided for them.