Here we glow

PUPILS and staff at a Fenland primary school are celebrating after receiving a glowing report from Government education inspectors.Leadership, teaching, achievement and pupil behaviour are all singled out for praise at the Lionel Walden Primary School and Playgroup, in Doddington.Ofsted inspectors say in their report that it is "a very effective school with some outstanding features" and "provides good value for money".Teaching throughout Lionel Walden, in both the primary school and playgroup, is said to be good, and particularly strong in some areas."The school's major strengths lie in the standards achieved by children in the core subjects, such as English, and in the strong focus on ensuring that children learn basic skills. "A clear priority is given to close links between the school and the playgroup it manages," say inspectors.They also praise the school's emphasis on healthy living, in that pupils know the importance of diet and exercise. Inspectors were also impressed with children's behaviour and their contributions to the local community, charity work and life at the school - even to how the toilets could be refurbished.Leadership and management quality are said to be "good overall, with outstanding features" and inspectors say this is reflected in the high standards achieved by the time children leave the school.Headteacher David Barron's focus on achieving high standards in Lionel Walden are also highlighted.But the school, which caters for 225 children aged between five and 11, has been encouraged to do more in science, develop staff middle-level management and give pupils more direction on how to improve their work.Mr Barron, said: "I am delighted the school has been judged as very good with outstanding features and the playgroup has been judged outstanding in three of the five categories with the other two being good."Particularly pleasing are the report's comments relating to our care for children's personal and emotional needs.