A monitoring inspection by Ofsted which found satisfactory progress at a Poole school has been greeted as “extremely positive” by its new head.

Jim Williams took charge of the 300-pupil Turlin Moor Community School at Hamworthy in January and the inspector’s visit took place in December.

It followed an inspection in June 2010 when areas for improvement included the quality of teaching, giving pupils a better understanding of how they could improve their work and further develop the curriculum.

There was an focus on behaviour, which has improved since the previous inspection, as had attendance.

“The school has a calm and purposeful atmosphere which is conducive for learning,” found inspector John Seal.

Teaching and learning had improved and the curriculum was improving, the inspector found. Key Stage 2 tests indicated that attainment at the end of Year 6 had improved, especially in maths.

Pupils in Years 3 and 4 had yet to make up for a legacy of underachievement, however by the time they left in Year 7 attainment was in line with others in reading and maths but slightly below in writing.

“Having considered all the evidence I am of the opinion that at this time the school has made satisfactory progress in making improvements and satisfactory progress in demonstrating a better capacity for sustained improvement and that the effectiveness of the school in improving pupils’ behaviour is good,” said Mr Seal in his report.

Mr Williams said the report: “Highlighted a number of significant developments the school is making in terms of enhancing the educational opportunities for the young people within the Turlin Moor community.”

The school had an important role to play in the community and he said he was keen to develop that further.

Turlin Moor Community School is less than four years old, the result of a merger in 2008 of the first and middle schools, due to a shortage of numbers.

Its name was chosen in an election run by Borough of Poole, with around 600 pupils, staff and families given the opportunity to vote.

The school now educates youngsters from four to 12 years old.