CHILDREN and staff at St Catherines Primary School, Heathfield, have been celebrating after education inspectors said the school no longer needed to be under a notice to improve.

Last year, St Catherines was criticised by Ofsted and told to make significant improvements.

Now inspectors have highlighted the schools progress and said it was set to get even better in the future.

It now provides its pupils with a satisfactory standard of education, it said in its report, details of which were made public on Wednesday.

There are emerging strengths in the Early Years, the quality of teaching and its good links with a wide range of partners.

Under the leadership of the headteacher [Gill Murch], who was appointed shortly before the last inspection, firm action has been taken to improve the quality of teaching and of middle leadership.

Two inspectors spent two days at the Church of England primary and nursery school earlier this month.

They found that all the children were now making at least satisfactory progress and that standards in English, maths and science were set to rise further.

Teaching has a number of strengths, said lead inspector Paul Sadler.

There are good relationships between staff and pupils. Teachers subject knowledge is good, enhanced in English and maths by recent training.

Pupils were praised for the pride in their school, their behaviour and for the welcome they gave visitors.

A delighted Mrs Murch said: It is so encouraging to see that Ofsted has recognised all the hard work that the staff and governors of the school have undertaken since our last inspection.

We are delighted with the outcome and are committed to continuing the drive to raise standards even further.

We would particularly like to thank all the parents who have supported us through thick and thin during the past 12 months and are pleased that their faith in the school has been rewarded.

We have fantastic pupils and we aim to provide them with the best possible education. This outcome marks a significant step towards achieving that.