A CHURCH school near Wimborne has celebrated being awarded the grade of 'good’ in its most recent inspection.

Pamphill First School was given the grade after a Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools (SIAMS) report in January.

The report found that the school was “welcoming and inclusive”, and that pupils “thrive” at the school.

However, the report identified some areas for improvement, including further encouragement of pupils “to be more active in identifying injustice so that they can become proactive agents for change". 

Overall, the report said that the school’s recent development was “clearly rooted in effective leadership promoting its biblically based Christian vision".

The headteacher, Mike Wheeler, said: “The report is a testament to the hard work put in by the staff, but also by the children and their parents.

“It identified that our Christian values have driven the school’s rapid development and notes that we are heavily over-subscribed.

“The report says we make the most of our amazing rural setting, and vulnerable pupils and those with learning needs are well supported.

“Obviously we are pleased that our efforts have been recognised, but we won’t rest on our laurels.

“There are areas that we still need to work on, and these are already being addressed.”

The school was visited by the Bishop of Salisbury, Stephen Lake, who said: “This is a unique school in a rural setting and it’s great to see its successful inspection report.

“I was delighted to meet so many happy children who clearly belong to a small school which has a real family feel.”

The school joined the Wimborne Academy Trust in October 2020. The report notes that since joining the Trust, the school has been “transformed”, and that the school is accurately described by a parents as “'a happy school with happy children’”.

Liz West, chief executive of WAT, said: “Pamphill joined the trust in 2020, and since then improvements have been significant.

“Therefore, we were happy that this was acknowledged during the most recent inspection.

“This is the most recent positive report of our schools, and we will continue to provide excellent all-round education from first school through to sixth form.”