A PRIMARY school and nursery in Worcestershire has been praised by inspectors in a positive Ofsted report.

St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School and Nursery in Droitwich was given an overall rating of ‘good’ but was praised in a number of areas for being ‘outstanding’.

The voluntary-aided school in St Joseph’s Close was visited last year by government inspector Peter Clifton who said that “pupils achieve well and attain above average standards”.

Mr Clifton said: “In lessons, the pupils listen well and work together confidently to support their learning.

“The great majority of lessons are at least good and sometimes outstanding.”

The report gave particular praise for the way the school helps its 222 boys and girls to adopt healthy lifestyles by encouraging them to eat brown bread sandwiches.

Children at the early years foundation stage make good progress and by the time they join year one “most reach or exceed levels expected across the areas of learning”.

However, Mr Clifton said that the younger pupils’ creative development is not as strong as in other areas of learning.

Headteacher Miranda Gibbs was praised for having the strong support of staff and the governing body and for making a number of changes in the school which have strengthened pupils’ progress.

The report said that the school’s attendance levels are average, which is mainly due to too many holidays being taken during term time.

Another area where improvement could be made is through planning in science lessons.

Mr Clifton said: “In science planning for the needs of pupils is not as strong and leaders have accurately identified a weakness in developing pupils’ practical investigative skills.”

Mrs Gibbs was unavailable for comment.