ONE of Britain's smallest and most picturesque schools is celebrating after receiving a positive Ofsted report.

Pawlett Primary School had been put in special measures in 2017 but an inspection report said effective action was being taken with a good improvement plan in place.

The inspectors praised leadership, the quality of teaching, learning and assessment, personal development, behaviour and welfare, and the work towards pupil outcomes.

They also highlighted the work done by the Priory Learning Trust and the leadership of senior leaders and acting headteacher Emma Hardy-Smith since last September.

However the report does state that the school may not appoint newly qualified teachers before the next monitoring inspection.

The 54-pupil school itself is more than 200 years old and is situated in grounds with sports pitches, a forest school, adventure playground, and next door to a state-of-the-art community club with a 3G football pitch that can be used by the children of the school.

Emma said: “We are thrilled with this report which reflects the head work showed by all.

"We will not stop until we are a fantastic school in every way.

“We saw a year ago the huge potential that this school has and through hard work and a clear focus on improving teaching and learning we are able to improve at a very rapid rate.

“The pupils here are fantastic and deserve the best - they want to learn and be the best they can be.

“Being a small school we have been able to target each and every child to fill gaps and move learning on quickly. There is a tremendous and positive family feel about the school.”

Bridgwater and West Somerset MP Ian Liddell-Grainger added: “I was delighted to hear that Pawlett Primary School has had such a positive Ofsted report after being rated as inadequate and being put into special measures a year ago.

“To bring about such a rapid improvement there has clearly been a good deal of hard work and commitment to raise standards and deal with problems identified at the school under the leadership of the acting headteacher, Emma Hardy-Smith, assisted by the Priory Learning Trust, school staff, parents and, of course, the pupils themselves.

“I look forward to visiting the school in the near future to see the improvement and hear about the work that has been done to bring them about for myself.”