There were double reasons to celebrate at Hennock Community Primary School last week.

Not only did the head of teaching and learning, Hayley Reynolds, become one of three regional finalists in the 2011 Teaching Awards, but Ofsted officials have said they don't need to carry out an inspection this year as standards are so good.

Mrs Reynolds (left) was nominated for primary teacher of the year by head Nicky Dunford, who herself received a distinction in the south west regional finals of the awards in 2009.

The school was visited last week by three judges who spoke to pupils, staff, parents, governors and volunteers, and saw the projects and teaching initiatives Mrs Reynolds had put in place since arriving five years ago.

Mrs Dunford said: 'The whole school really enjoyed the visit by the judges to celebrate Hayley's tremendous achievements during her time at Hennock and has given us an opportunity to express how proud we are of such an outstanding teacher.

'What made the afternoon even more special for the children is that Mrs Reynolds made a special visit from maternity leave with her new baby daughter, who was born in March.'

The results of the regional finals will be announced in June and the winners will go through to the London finals in the autumn.

To make last week even better, Christine Gilbert, the chief inspector of schools, confirmed Ofsted would not be carrying out an inspection at the 49-pupil school this year because its high performance had been maintained since being judged 'outstanding' three years ago.

Hennock's purple patch could soon be spreading to Newton Abbot, where a management partnership with the troubled Bearnes Primary School could soon be formalised and a new federation formed, if governors give the go ahead.