PUPILS at a formerly 'inadequate' school managed to impress Ofsted even while discussing divisive issues like Brexit.

St Joseph's Catholic Primary School in Carterton has been upgraded to an overall rating of 'requires improvement', two years after it was judged to meet the lowest standard.

Two areas - behaviour and attitude, and personal development - were rated 'good'.

Ofsted's new report, published last week, said: "Pupils understand the importance of individual liberty, while not discriminating against others.

"They express their opinions and discuss issues, such as immigration, homelessness and Brexit, with confidence."

Inspectors praised a 'strong ethos of compassion and kindness'.

One pupil told Ofsted that the school is a 'fabulously caring and happy place'.

READ AGAIN: 'Determined' improvements at 'inadequate' school

St Joseph's, which teaches 117 children, was rated 'inadequate' in 2018 due to concerns about safety and standards.

It is part of the Dominic Barberi Multi Academy Company, which runs other schools including St Gregory the Great Catholic School in East Oxford.

The new report, published following inspection in January, said: "Leaders have worked hard to address previous weaknesses.

"A number of other important aspects of the school are now improving."

Safeguarding in particular was said to now be 'effective'.

The report added: "Most parents and carers appreciate the positive difference that staff make to pupils’ emotional health and well-being.

"Several parents described St Joseph’s as a place where their children ‘thrive’."

It advised school leaders to focus on improving parts of the curriculum and expanding some teachers' subject knowledge.