THE good times are here to stay at an East Hampshire village school as Ofsted inspectors have filed a decent report card.

St Matthew’s Church of England Primary School in Blackmoor has retained its overall ‘good’ rating following its first inspection since the pandemic.

And there’s more good news for headteacher Kay Pennicotte-Henrie and her staff with the school getting an “outstanding” grade for its behaviour and attitude.

Inspectors were impressed with the school’s leadership, engagement and the focus that staff put on reading.

The report notes that pupils benefit from daily reading practice, often enjoy a good book in the garden and engage well when teachers read aloud. The school’s 208 pupils get on “very well” with each other while their behaviour and attitude is “very strong”.

The report adds: “Older and younger pupils spend valuable time both learning and playing together, living out the school’s aims of friendship, respect, achievement and faith.

“Leaders expect all pupils to engage in lessons and achieve their best. Ambitious curriculum plans help achieve this in many subjects.”

While the quality of education, personal development, leadership and early years provision at St Matthews are all very good, the school needs to make some improvements to receive the top rating. Inspectors found the delivery of the school’s curriculum was inconsistent as subject and content knowledge varied among some members of staff.