A BECCLES school has attracted some glowing comments after what will be its final Ofsted inspection.Beccles Middle is one of many schools in Suffolk closing as a result of the county council's decision to implement a two-tier education system.

A BECCLES school has attracted some glowing comments after what will be its final Ofsted inspection.

Beccles Middle is one of many schools in Suffolk closing as a result of the county council's decision

to implement a two-tier education system.

But inspectors for the education standards watchdog recognised that, despite the imminent changes, staff were determined to minimise the disruption to pupils.

They found that care, guidance and support, safeguarding arrangements, partnership work and the quality of head David Baker's leadership were all outstanding features in what was an overall “good” report.

It stated: “School leadership is strongly focused on maintaining and improving standards. The head-teacher provides a strong and clear sense of direction, and the high morale of the staff is a reflection of his hard work and endeavours.”

Mr Baker said he was pleased the good range of extra-curricular activities had been highlighted by inspectors, as well as the staff's excellent knowledge of the pupils and the teaching assistants' role.

Also, children were seen to enjoy school and build up good relation-ships with their peers and teachers.

The inspectors added: “The school has improved well since its last inspection, and there is a steely determination to ensure that factors beyond the school's control do not impede the pupils' education.”

They continued: “The quality of care, guidance and support offered is difficult to fault, and the school's dealings with various agencies and families greatly enhance pupils' progress and learning.”

Mr Baker said: “In terms of the reorganisation, we are going to keep going until the day that the last child walks out of the school. From an individual school basis, it's difficult to understand when we are able to achieve an Ofsted as good as this.

“Those making the decisions on our behalf look at it from a county perspective, but from my perspective my children get a good deal. It does make you quite emotional, when you're working your socks off, to know that someone in an office in Ipswich has made this decision. I think this Ofsted is just reward for all the hard work the staff have put in.”

The school has been asked to ensure that all staff are provided with accurate information about the pupils' prior attainment so each lesson can be better planned to cater even more successfully for individual needs and to ensure greater consistency in the quality of marking.