Pupils are celebrating after Tickenham Primary School was declared outstanding by inspectors.

The school, in Clevedon Road, was given almost full marks across all areas after a report by the Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools (SIAMS).

This was an improvement on its previous SIAMS inspection, which gave the school a ‘good’ rating in November 2012.

Inspectors said the school’s ‘fantastic culture’ helps make children feel ‘safe and able to achieve’.

It also noted how pupils felt ‘confident and comfortable to take risks with their learning, resulting in excellent progress and attainment’.

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Head of school Tristan Merriam said: “We are absolutely thrilled, it is a huge achievement to be recognised in this way.

“This report reflects everything we are about and we are all so proud of the outcome. There is something very special about Tickenham and I am delighted to see this has been acknowledged.

“As a team of staff, parents, governors and pupils, we are so very proud of our school.”

The school was awarded academy status and joined the Clevedon Learning Trust multi academy trust in January 2015 and has a small number of pupils, with 79 currently on roll, the majority of which commute from nearby towns.

This smaller than average size allows for a ‘learning enviornment that supports good and outstanding teaching’.

SIAMS inspectors praised the schools distinctiveness and effectiveness, stating in its report that ‘the school’s values are understood by staff and governors and effectively communicated to all stakeholders’.

The school places an emphasis on collective worship, a weekly celebration which is led by clergy and involves all members of staff, pupils and parents, with youngsters ‘engaged in the topics being presented and are keen to participate’.

The inspectors did note areas in which the school could improve, such as providing pupils with ‘opportunities to explore Anglican and other Christian traditions’ so they ‘can understand how Christians practise their faith’.

Improvements could also be made to the school’s planning ‘as an ongoing part of governance and leadership meetings.’