Staff and pupils at Bedale CE Primary school are celebrating after it received a "good" rating from Ofsted after a recent inspection.

The school’s head teacher, Liz Turnbull said: "We are incredibly proud of this report which reflects the wonderful attitudes of the children and the dedication of all our staff here.

"We are delighted that the inspector saw first-hand that ‘pupils thrive in this welcoming and caring school’ and that ‘relationships between pupils are incredibly positive. They behave exceptionally well, both in class and around school.’

"There was high praise in the report for our maths curriculum as well as our teaching of reading."

Darlington and Stockton Times: Children at Bedale C of E celebrate

The recognition in the report after the inspection in November has been further celebrated this week after the school received a letter from the Damian Hinds, Minister for Schools, congratulating the school on its "outstanding achievement in the 2023 phonics screening check".

Mrs Tunbull added: "Our school was in the top five per cent of all primary schools in the country, with 95 per cent of pupils in our year one cohort last summer meeting the expected standard. What a wonderful way to start the new year."