A WEST Oxfordshire school judged inadequate a year ago has turned around its fortunes winning praise by Ofsted in all categories.

When it was inspected in January 2012, Stonesfield Primary School was given a notice to improve over declining standards.

Its work with disabled pupils and those with special needs also needed to get better, the inspectorate gound.

But when Ofsted inspectors returned to the High Street school last month, they rated it good in all areas.

Inspector Ann Henderson described headteacher Fi McGregor’s leadership as strong and the school as a caring, supportive community.

Special educational needs co-ordinator Ruth Thornburn was also praised for her work identifying pupils with particular needs.

The governing body provided a good level of challenge and support to the school, which has 141 pupils, the inspection found.

Ms McGregor – who was acting head at the previous inspection but received the permanent role in March – said she was “delighted”.

Pointing to the importance of teamwork, she said: “We had a very poor set of SATs results and there were issues to be addressed.

“We have a fantastically strong team of teachers and teaching assistants, and a very good chair of governors and vice chair. A big part of the team is also the children, and they are gorgeous children.”

The school held workshops with parents to involve them in the improvement over the last year.

Ms McGregor said: “We were all devastated by the previous judgement.

“It shocked parents’ faith in the school and it has taken a bit of time to build up trust again.”

And she said there was no reason why the school, which has a relatively affluent catchment area, could not get an outstanding Ofsted rating.

She said: “We are very buoyed up by the results because it acknowledges the work that’s been done but we are also energised to carry on going from strength to strength.”

She said the support of deputy headteacher Beth Binnian, who started in September, had helped drive improvements forward.

Oxfordshire County Council education cabinet member Melinda Tilley said: “It’s absolutely fantastic. Schools that go from an inadequate Ofsted category into good are showing they are working hard and they have clearly put in a lot of hard work to get it turned around.”