CARING, courteous and well-behaved pupils received high praise from inspectors in their report on standards at a school.

Youngsters at Belmont County Primary School also achieved above the national average in English and mathematics tests and were commended for their performances in art lesson.

Officials who carried out the inspection on behalf of the Office for Standards in Education called Belmont "a valued school that gives pupils a good start."

Pupils were willing and enthusiastic, read with enjoyment and understanding and benefited from strong community spirit.

Staff were said to be hard working and committed to the school and well-being of pupils. Parents were also praised for their support.

The Rev Ben Humphries, chairman of the governors, said: "After all the recent horror stories about what is happening in primary schools we are delighted that the inspector found such high standards."

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