A village school head teacher has been praised for her good leadership and for tackling issues which needed improving which were highlighted at their last Ofsted inspection.

Jenny Atkins, head teacher at Kinderley Primary in Tydd St Giles, was told by inspectors that she has brought about improvements in teaching and raised pupil’s achievements despite a number of staff changes and past difficulties in recruiting.

Margaret Goodchild, inspector, said: “Since the last inspection there has been a considerable improvement in standards at the end of Year six.”

She added that both she and the teacher for pupils in years five and six took responsibility for leading maths and English and there had been clear improvement in both subjects.

“Other staff with particular responsibilities, such as the early years’ leader, provides good support to the head teacher in her drive to improve the school further,” she said.

Behaviour at the setting is good, the report says and children make good progress being prepared well for their move from reception to Year one.

The school was told that it was not yet out standing as occasionally teachers did not plan learning well enough to meet the full range of needs of their class which slowed learning for some pupils.

Less able pupils did not always make as much progress as their classmates, especially in writing, and in Years one to four some pupils remained below average.