OFSTED inspectors have heaped praise on a school for the marked improvement in its performance.

The rating for Mayhill Junior School in Odiham went up from "requires improvement" to "good" in an inspectors’ report, which has just been published.

The last inspection by the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) was two years ago. Naturally, the headteacher, Tom May, is delighted by the new upgrade: “The inspection team had a very positive and full two days with us, and saw every aspect of our school.

“I know they were overwhelmed with dozens of comments from parents. Our staff team were brilliant and the children were just brilliant too.”

After a period of instability two years ago the school has settled into its stride. It has always benefitted from large classrooms and small class sizes – typically 20–24 pupils.

Now it also has a brand new curriculum, good quality teaching throughout the school, and a programme of modernisation. Ofsted noted that the school is looking forward to an exciting future.

The inspectors’ report said: “Pupils from all years make good progress in reading, writing and mathematics. A large proportion in each year group are on track to attain the standards expected for their age in these subjects, and a good proportion show a deeper level of mastery.”

Mr May, who has led the school since September 2014, was full of pride: “I cannot put into words just how proud I am of our school – and everyone who works at Mayhill – for all their effort over the last two years.

“This week we held our first–ever sleepover at the school for the year three children, as their first step towards our residential structure. And we have also recently been successful in a bid to renovate our music room into a digital suite for music and creativity, which we are all really looking forward to using.”