A “friendly and welcoming” village primary school has been praised for its early years provision in the latest Ofsted report. 

St Andrew’s Primary School, in Great Yeldham, is part of the Vine School Trust and recently received its latest report from the education watchdog, achieving an overall ‘good’ rating. 

Its early years provision was rated ‘outstanding’ and the report states, that pupils at the primary school are flourishing. 

According to the report, pupils are well-behaved, enjoy coming to school and take pride in carrying out their roles and responsibilities. 

Parents share the opinion, with one quoted in the report as saying: “St Andrew’s is a fantastic school. Staff work hard to make sure children are happy and that they achieve well.” 

Another positive aspect is the school's strategies regarding the well-being of pupils, including school dog Bean, who attends to children who are feeling sad and helps those who are reluctant to come to school. 

The report says: “The school provides a wide range of activities to promote pupils’ personal development.

"Pupils contribute positively to the school and to the local community, including helping to serve tea and cakes at the church cafe.

"Pupils take part in fundraising activities, including donating to the local food bank.  

“Pupils attend a range of lunchtime and after-school clubs, such as archery, dodgeball and art club.

"These activities help pupils to learn new skills and build compassion for those less fortunate.

"Pupils learn about other faiths and different communities.  

Ofsted said the school needed to make more regular checks on how well pupils remember important knowledge to ensure they are meeting the aims of the ambitious curriculum.

Head Emma Flin said: “We are all so pleased with the result of our recent inspection which considered us to be a good school overall with outstanding in Early Years.

“All staff work incredibly hard to deliver an ambitious curriculum which ensures that pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, learn well.

“The school also works hard to promote our children’s personal development, which we are pleased has been recognised.”