A VILLAGE school has received glowing praise from Church inspectors.

Oxenhope Church of England Primary School has been graded as 'excellent'.

And the Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools team described the religious education provision as "inspirational".

Inspectors visited the school, part of the Bradford Diocesan Academies Trust, earlier this month.

In their report they pay tribute to the school's "transformational Christian vision" and "dynamic leadership", adding: "Pupils are able to explore beliefs with confidence and security, resulting in superb progress during their time at school."

The curriculum and education offer was praised.

Inspectors said: "The curriculum is designed with exceptional care and is vision driven."

Provision for children with special educational needs was adapted to the individual needs of each learner and delivered in partnership with families and parents.

Collective worship was described as "inclusive, invitational, joyful and a rich blessing to the school community".

The school also received acclaim for its working relationships with the Diocese of Leeds and the Bradford Diocesan Academies Trust, with staff described as "effusive in their appreciation of the training and pastoral support they receive", and governors were praised for their "knowledge and understanding" of church school education.

Headteacher Alice Jones said staff and students were delighted with the result of the inspection.

She added: "Oxenhope is a small village school in a big and diverse world and a key part of what we do is to help our children grow to do good for themselves and their communities, wherever their ambition takes them. Having this recognised is a tribute to the hard work staff and pupils put in every day."

Her comments are echoed by chair of governors, Kevin Campbell-Wright.

He said: "The school vision is to promote love, community and growth, cornerstones not only for Christian children but also for those of different or no faiths. This inspection demonstrates how we’re achieving that vision for all our children, staff and community."

Carol Dewhurst, chief executive of Bradford Diocesan Academies Trust, said: "Oxenhope is one of 12 primary schools within the trust that are working hard to achieve great outcomes, but also challenging children to develop spiritually as part of their community.

"It is so heartening to finish the school year with such excellent commendation of the culture of care, nurture and compassion prevalent through the school, coupled with the endorsement of the quality of education being delivered day in, day out."