A St Albans school has overcome "a number of challenges" to receive a "good" rating following its latest Ofsted visit.

Sandridge Primary School in Woodcock Hill was rated "good" after inspectors found it has improved from "requires improvement" since their last visit in March last year.

The school was awarded "good" marks in the achievement of pupils and the quality of teaching categories and "outstanding" marks in the behaviour and safety of pupils and leadership and management categories during its visit last month.

Cindy Impey, school headteacher said she hoped more pupils would be encouraged to join Sandridge.

She said: "Sandridge has faced a number of challenges over the last two years, therefore moving from a ‘Requires to Improve’ to a 'Good' judgement in just 14 months shows a huge commitment on behalf of all staff.

We are hoping that, with a confirmed Ofsted judgement, more pupils will be encouraged to come to Sandridge, now a one form entry school as from this year."

The inspector observed eight lessons, of which five were observed jointly with the headteacher, and an assembly. In all, nine members of staff were seen teaching.

The report said since the previous inspection, "leaders have united staff in a common sense of purpose" and as a result, teaching has improved "rapidly" and is now good. It continued: "staff consistently create a strong climate for learning where pupils want to do well."

There are 146 pupils at the school, aged between 4 and 11-years-old, and the Ofsted report highlighted from the time they start school "children’s positive attitudes contribute to the good progress they make."

Inspectors said pupil’s behaviour was "good" and they felt safe in school.

The report added: "Pupils are happy to play their part in their small school community. They get on well together and value their friendships."

Furthermore the headteacher was praised because she is "clear about how well the school is doing and what she wants it to achieve, while having "high expectations of staff and pupils".

Leaders, including governors, were also praised for the actions they have taken, which have "led to rapid improvement in the quality of teaching and pupils’ achievement since the previous inspection."

Inspectors said the school was not yet of an "outstanding" rating because school because standards in reading are not as high as they are in writing and mathematics, leaders do not promote a consistent approach to the teaching of reading or make sure pupils are inspired to read.

It also highlighted teachers do not make sure that pupils use their language skills in their reading, not all leaders fully understand the quality of teaching and learning in their subjects and the school’s aims are not always transmitted successfully to parents.

Ms Impey invited parents to come and look around the school at an open evening on Wednesday, July 9 from 5pm to 7pm.