EXPERTS have praised standards at a Swanage school that is scheduled to close next summer.

Inspectors from Ofsted, who visited Swanage Middle School over two days earlier this month, judged it as ‘good’ in all areas.

Head teacher Dave Pratten said: “The efforts of the staff are remarkable bearing in mind that the majority of them are facing redundancy and redeployment in July.”

Meanwhile, the Ofsted report noted: “The head teacher and staff are working very well to make the school’s final year before it closes both worthwhile and memorable.”

Lessons are described as “lively and enjoyable and as a result, pupils are keen to learn. Effective support means all groups of pupils are able to make good progress.”

The school is one of four middle schools being closed in July as part of Dorset County Council’s Purbeck education shake-up.

Mr Pratten said: “I am very proud of the pupils and staff for working so well together to achieve such a positive outcome under the new system of inspection, which is much tougher than the previous system.”