GOVERNMENT inspectors have praised an Otley primary school as very effective and with a strong community bond.

Ashfield Infant and Nursery School in Weston Lane, one of the schools which will be closed and reopened if the Otley schools reorganisation goes ahead, was described as having many strengths and with some outstanding

features.

Ofsted inspectors said staff and pupils were happy and enthusiastic in their work and parents were very

supportive.

The report said: "Parents overwhelmingly describe the school's work in glowing terms and appreciate its provision for their children."

The school, which caters for three to seven year olds, has 58 full time pupils.

The report said pupils attained higher than average

standards for seven year olds, reading standards were very high and quality of teaching and leadership was very good. It also represented good value for money.

The school had many strengths and no significant

weaknesses and served its community well.

Head teacher Yvonne Davidson said: "This is a stunning report and underlines the quality of education on offer at Ashfield.

"We would welcome the opportunity to make this

available to more children in the area.

"The report reflects the hard work of staff, children and governors and highlights the strength of our partnership with parents.

"We were also very pleased to heat that Ofsted consider we give very good value for money and that the school serves its community well and is valued by it. This is

obviously a very important consideration as the process of reorganisation of Otley schools gets under way."