Bitterne Park Infant School, Southampton's first school to undergo Ofsted's new inspection regime, has passed with flying colours.

Bitterne Park has been recognised by inspectors as a 'good` school that `knows its strengths and how to bring about further improvement`.

For the first time, pupils` opinions have formed a large part of the inspection and Bitterne Park Infant`s youngsters were proud to tell Ofsted officers that their school was a `happy place`.

Headteacher Lyn Meadows is delighted with the report and in particular that it recognised her school`s efforts support pupils` personal development and provide an inclusive education for all pupils.

Government inspectors visited the 253-pupil school during the first week of the Autumn term. It was the first time that the new streamline inspections have taken place in the city. From September 2005, inspections take no more than two days and schools are given very little notice. Self-evaluation also forms an important part of the new inspection.

"We are proud of our school and the way we prepare our children to become responsible citizens. It is always good when Ofsted recognise our good work and support the confidence and trust parents put in our school," said Mrs Meadows.

Graham Ford, the Chair of Governors, said: "We are pleased with the report and that it recognises all of the hard work of both the staff and the children. It is such a pleasure to be a governor in this school."


Strengths at Bitterne Park Infants:

• Pupils are happy, enjoy their learning and are pleased to be at school. A view endorsed by parents` `Year 2 pupils say that the school is a happy place where they feel safe`
• `Leadership and management are good` `along with the senior management tem, the headteacher has a clear view about where the school is heading and what needs to be done next to bring about improvement.`
• The report said Bitterne Park Infants is `an effective school providing good value for money`
• The school provides `an inclusive education for all pupils` and `curriculum provision is good and for pupils with learning difficulties and disabilities it is excellent`
•  `The headteacher has been successful in building a well qualified and valued workforce` and `the skilful reorganisation of the building means that children now work in an inviting environment.`
•  `The quality of teaching is satisfactory overall` and `standards by the end of Year 2 are in line with those expected for their ages and represents good progress through the school from a below average starting point`
• `The quality of care, guidance and support is outstanding`

Areas for improvement:

• The school needs to raise the achievement of more able pupils
• The school needs to implement planned developments to raise pupils` progress in writing so that more pupils achieve the higher levels
• Focus the monitoring of teaching the learning more closely to the priorities in the school development plan.