A SAFFRON Walden primary school has come on leaps and bounds according to its latest government inspection. The comment, made by a parent, was used by Ofsted to sum up the impressive progress made by St Mary s Primary School over the past 18 months. Ins

A SAFFRON Walden primary school has come on "leaps and bounds" according to its latest government inspection.

The comment, made by a parent, was used by Ofsted to sum up the impressive progress made by St Mary's Primary School over the past 18 months.

Inspectors noted that headteacher Surge Dhanda and her new leadership team have "succeeded in creating a positive climate for learning where pupils grow in confidence and increasingly work hard to do their best".

It adds that Mrs Dhanda has "worked very hard to steer the school in the right direction" and that "priorities" have been well chosen.

Staff at the school, in Castle Street, were also praised for sharing in the school's "ambitious aim to aspire for excellence in a Christian learning environment".

It also picked out that, following a zero tolerance policy, behaviour which has been an issue in the past has seen a "dramatic turnaround" and is now consistently good across the school.

Mrs Dhanda is delighted with the report. She said: "This demonstrates to the public at large that this is a school that is going places. Our parents already knew this.

"Our staff are truly dedicated; work hard and in partnership with parents, governors and children to bring about a school where children are happy, enthusiastic, cared for and eager to learn.

"The inspector was very impressed by the positive parental response rate to the Ofsted questionnaire with the most replies for a school he had ever seen.