A FOREST School is delighted at receiving a Department For Education School Achievement Award for excellence – hot on the heels of a very successful Ofsted inspection.

The coveted award, worth £5,370, rewards Coleford's St John's C of E Primary School for "better results than most schools in similar circumstances".

Education Minister Estelle Morris, in a letter to the school, states: "The hard work and dedication of teaching and support staff are crucial to a school's success. School Achievement Awards are intended to celebrate and reward these efforts. Congratulations and best wishes."

In its Ofsted inspection St John's was found to be "a much improved school with a bright future ahead".

The Key Stage 2 results in English were found to be better than most primary schools. Additionally, results in mathematics were among the top five per cent of schools in England.

Tests showed considerable improvement since the previous inspection and teaching was judged to be good throughout the school with pupils making good progress as a result.

Parents have very positive views about the school, say the inspectors, while the school's improvement plan had already highlighted area which needed development.

The school's head teacher, Linda Gregory, said she was 'delighted' with the outcome of the inspection and news of the award.

She was also pleased with improvements at the school completed under the government's New Deal For Schools building project.

Chairman of the governors Alison Stuttard said: "I would like to thank Mrs Gregory, staff and pupils for their hard work before and during the inspection."