DUNSTER First School has received an outstanding Ofsted report, with inspectors unable to find any major areas of weakness at the "highly effective" school.

Government inspectors could find nothing significantly wrong with the school, and parents could offer no suggestions for what might be improved.

Instead, inspectors found very good standards of teaching, high attainment among pupils, excellent leadership and a school that provided "very good value for money".

The only recommendations the inspectors could make were deemed "minor", although the "significant shortcomings" of some of the school buildings was criticised.

Some classrooms were found to be cramped, the school had no central library or computer facility and an ageing temporary classroom had no toilet facilities.

The inspectors concluded that the school should revise the science curriculum, improve facilities for whole-class teaching in ICT and extend the range of opportunities to learn about non-Western cultures.

The report stated: "The school has made very good progress since it was last inspected in June 1997.

"The teaching has improved and is now very good. In mathematics, there is no longer underachievement because pupils of all abilities are fully challenged and standards are high.

"The school is very well managed and the headteacher and his deputy work together to provide excellent leadership.

"They are well supported by the teachers, governors and parents.

"The school monitors and evaluates its own performance thoroughly and, as a result, is very well placed to continue to move forward."

Chairman of governors Jim Butterworth said it was clear that the school provided a first class education for each and every pupil.

He said: "The governors are proud to be a part of the hard working team that has built on past successes and made Dunster such a fine school.

"Working with the leadership of Peter Hoyland and his deputy Mary Dolan, we cannot praise too highly the hard work and dedication of every member of the school team.

"They have fully earned and deserve this outstanding report."

In fact, the inspectors noted the school was so popular that almost a half of the 156 students came from outside the catchment area.

They found pupils were achieving well above average standards in English and mathematics, and provision for special educational needs pupils was described as "very good".

"The teaching is very good overall," said the inspectors.

"In key stages one and two there is a high level of consistency in the quality of teaching, which has many very strong features.

"The teachers have very secure subject knowledge, which they use to very good effect to plan interesting and motivating tasks.

"The more able pupils are stretched in their learning and those pupils with special educational needs are very well supported by the teachers.

"The well trained and efficient teaching assistants provide the teachers and the pupils, of all abilities, with very valuable help and guidance."

The inspectors said the school's curriculum was broad, interesting and well organised. Pupils took pride in their work and were well behaved both in and out of the classroom.

The report stated: "Overall, the pupils' behaviour is very good. Responsibility and maturity are the watchwords that underpin the standards of behaviour seen throughout the school.

"The pupils' personal development is good. They understand their responsibilities to society and they learn a good range of social skills.

"Consequently, the school helps them to develop into well-rounded citizens."

There was praise for Mr Hoyland, the school governors and the level of interest shown by parents in the day-to-day activities of the school.

The inspectors said: "The headteacher successfully generates a high level of enthusiasm and commitment among all those connected with the school.

"The governors have a very clear view of the school's strengths and weaknesses and are effective in shaping its direction. They fully meet their responsibilities."

Mr Hoyland said much of the success of the school was down to the efforts of both staff and the community and added: "We must not forget the children who impressed the inspectors so much."