A primary school in Stevenage, where "pupils enjoy engaging and interesting lessons", has been rated good by Ofsted.

Camps Hill Primary School on Chells Way has been rated good in all areas by the education watchdog, with the exception of early years provision, which has received a 'requires improvement' rating.

Pupils are "happy and safe" at the school, where "there is a calm atmosphere throughout", the Ofsted report says.

"The school expects all pupils to work hard and learn well", and "pupils enjoy engaging and interesting lessons", it continues.

Inspectors found that "the school has made positive changes to the curriculum since the last inspection" in 2020, when the school received a 'requires improvement' rating.

The report says: "The curriculum is ambitious, followed consistently by staff and ensures pupils learn the full range of subjects."

Inspectors also found that teachers "have been provided with extensive training", which means they "can confidently and expertly teach the curriculum as intended," resulting in pupils attaining well.

However, they also noted that "too many children are not well prepared for their learning in Year 1. New leaders are aware of this, and recent changes in early years are starting to stabilise due to their actions. However, this work is still very much in its infancy."

Emma Flawn, headteacher at Camps Hill Primary School, said: "We are delighted that Ofsted have recognised the hard work that staff do daily to ensure our pupils can be the best that they can be.

"They recognised the exceptional personal development offer for pupils and that wellbeing of children and staff had been prioritised.

"One inspector called Camps Hill Primary School ‘a happy ship’.

"The changes that Ofsted have recently made to inspection were certainly evident, particularly around the wellbeing of staff and pupils. The experience, although rigorous, was conducted professionally and the team considered, and were sensitive to, the many current challenges in education."

As for the future, Mrs Flawn said: "We are looking forward to expanding our offer for our families with two-year-olds and the introduction of funded two-year-old places (15 and 30 hours) for working parents.

"We are also looking forward to having a full teaching staff from September, as the national shortage of teachers has resulted in a struggle to appoint reception teachers this year.

"Most of all, we look forward to our annual colour run on Friday, where we will be running to raise money for Kaotic Angels and Macmillan Cancer Support."