INSPECTORS were impressed with Settle Middle School, giving it a glowing Ofsted report.

"This is a good and successful school," reported lead inspector Dr D A W Biltcliffe.

"Teaching is of high quality throughout. Governors and the school's senior management work hard to keep standards appropriately high, with the result that most pupils make good progress.

"The school's atmosphere is very pleasant, friendly, calm and hard-working."

Headteacher James Mansley was delighted with the report.

He said: "I would like to thank the parents for their support and say well done to the pupils, teachers and governors for all their hard work in achieving such an excellent report once more. We all thought the last one, in 1996, was impressive, but this one is even better."

Teaching standards were flagged up as another considerable strength.

"In nearly one third of lessons it was very good; over two-thirds of staff gave at least one of these high quality lessons. No lesson was judged to be unsatisfactory - an unusual achievement," the inspectors found.

Mr Mansley said: "The inspectors comment very favourably on the excellent progress that pupils make at Settle Middle School. North Yorkshire pupils are generally above the standard in the rest of England, but Settle Middle School's pupils make more progress than children in the rest of North Yorkshire."

Pupils' attitudes, behaviour and attendance were praised highly and leadership and management were found to be effective at all levels.

The inspectors found that parents value the school highly, and are pleased with virtually all aspects of it.

However, foot and mouth took its toll on National Curriculum test results in 2001.

In 1999 and 2000, they were mainly above average, but there were some below and well below average scores last year.

The report clarifies the results: "The national tests are taken by pupils after being educated for less than a year in this school.

"They give an indication of pupils' overall attainment, but do not measure pupils' progress in this school."

Mr Mansley added: "This year's results were hit hard by children who were absent or distracted by the consequences of foot and mouth disease."

The report flagged up areas for improvement.

Mr Mansley said: "Parents are being consulted on how to make the school even better.

"The teachers intend to evaluate how suggestions can best be achieved, although some work is already under way - for example, ways of stretching the most able pupils even further and of keeping more data on the pupils."

The report found that humanities and drama, personal, social and health education felt the pressure of time.

Also, the school does not meet the requirement to provide a daily act of collective worship for all pupils.