A STOURPORT school is celebrating an above-average Ofsted report.

The team of inspectors, who visited Lickhill Lodge First School, praised the school for its standards of education, care and partnership with parents and the community.

The report said improvements since the 1997 inspection had been very good with pupils in year one and two making better progress and attaining higher standards in English, mathematics and science.

It referred to improvements in the quality and range of learning experiences the school provided for its pupils and complimented the teamwork between teachers and classroom assistants.

Headteacher Calne Edginton-White was praised for maintaining the high standards reported at the previous inspection.

A highlight of the inspection had been the school visit to Kidderminster College for a Christmas production when the accompanying inspector was impressed by the behaviour of the children and the excellent teamwork and relationships between parents, support staff and teachers.

They noted that the good relationships at all levels had created a "very caring school". The inspection team also complimented the school on its excellent provision for high and low attainers and noted its well-stocked library.

Mrs Edginton-White said: "I am particularly pleased that within the 11 areas of school strengths identified by the team, the successful partnership with parents and the rich and stimulating curriculum which interests and motivates its pupils was included."