The headteacher of a village school has welcomed an Ofsted report which praised its academic and social standards.

Tim Heaton, who runs Grendon Underwood County Combined School, said: "The school is extremely pleased with the report, which is a testimony to the hard work and commitment of its staff, the support of our parents and governors and the attitudes of our pupils.

"The report endorses the policies and practices that have been developed by the school since the last inspection in 1997."

The school, in Main Street, Grendon Underwood, near Bicester, was judged overall to be very effective in achieving its aims.

Inspectors found that its strengths included very high standards in English and maths, and good standards in information technology.

Leadership and management were also praised, as were its very good attitudes, behaviour, personal development and relationships.

The provision for moral and social development was deemed excellent and the curriculum was praised too.

Extra-curricula activities were described as excellent The inspectors also said the school catered well for a wide range of abilities.

The only area identified for development was that the school should improve the quality of the presentation of pupils' work to more accurately reflect the high levels of attainment.

Plans are already in place to address this.

Mr Heaton said that the school was grateful for the inspectors' acknowledgement of the quality of its work, and for the chance to confirm its success in raising standards.

Mr Heaton said: "This is an extremely positive report and one of which our staff and pupils should be very proud."