Pupils and staff at a primary school were celebrating last week after the school was taken off special measures.Bawdeswell Primary School was placed on special measures by Ofsted in February last year after inspectors raised concerns about management and structure and said its 97 pupils were not making enough progress.

Pupils and staff at a primary school were celebrating last week after the school was taken off special measures.

Bawdeswell Primary School was placed on special measures by Ofsted in February last year after inspectors raised concerns about management and structure and said its 97 pupils were not making enough progress.

But now it is back on the way up after inspectors ruled it was “satisfactory” and had “good capacity to improve further”.

It leaves 12 other schools in Norfolk still on special measures - a condition put on schools which sees them given extra inspections until they are seen to be improving and more control put in the hands of the local education authority.

In their latest inspection since Bawdeswell was put on special measures, inspectors said the school, which now has 76 pupils, aged five to 11, no longer required special measures and said the “decisive leadership of the acting headteacher” had helped bring about significant improvements.

It had improved significantly and judged leadership and management to be good, the latest report said.

Maureen Vaissiere, who was put in place as head teacher from February last year, said: “Everyone at the school is thrilled that we have been removed from special measures and is determined that the school should now continue to improve so every pupil can reach their potential.

“The school's progress has been down to the tremendous hard work of all our staff, pupils and parents and has been a real team effort.

“I am particularly pleased that Ofsted has recognised our pupils' enjoyment at coming to school as this is key if we are to help them to learn and develop.”

Ofsted said pupils were now making faster progress in English, there was a happy atmosphere throughout the school and pupils were well cared for.

A strong emphasis was placed on improving literacy and numeracy skills and there was a determination to ensure that pupils fulfilled their potential.

Physical exercise and sports clubs were popular and there was strong leadership, especially from the head teacher.

Self-evaluation was developing well and was informed by the robust analysis of pupils' progress and standards.

Links with neighbouring schools were good. For example, teachers from the local high school teach science in years 5 and 6.

Norfolk County Council appointed advisers and a project board was set up to help produce and implement an action plan at the school.

Mrs Vaissiere is one of a pool of experienced head teachers employed by the council to help to support schools in need.