An East Hampshire school where pupils “thrive and flourish” has completed an outstanding turnaround after a previous decade of struggle.

Greatham Primary (GPS) is in a very good place as the village school has received a glowing endorsement from Ofsted inspectors following a spring visit.

The 2010s were a testing period for GPS with the school getting a “requires improvement” grading as recently as 2017 with a monitoring visit the following year.

But the rating improved to good in 2020 – and probably would have been ‘outstanding’ this year had the one-word grading system not been scrapped.

The latest report makes terrific reading for headteacher Jo Goman and her team with inspectors praising everything from its curriculum and after-school activities to SEND provision and leadership.

Inspectors also hailed the “significant” improvements which have taken place at GPS since the last inspection with the opening paragraph setting the jubilant tone.

The report begins: “Pupils excel in this highly aspirational and inclusive community – they truly embody the school’s values of ‘care, aspire and achieve’.

“Each morning, pupils greet each other with a big smile. They are excited to see their friends and staff. Friendship, enthusiasm and happiness permeate across all aspects of school life.

“The school has exceptionally high expectations for pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

“Pupils immerse themselves wholeheartedly in their learning and achieve highly. Reading in the jewel in the crown at the school.”

The report adds: “Pupils’ behaviour throughout the school is exemplary – They are extremely proud to take on positions of responsibility, such as play leaders, junior road safety officers or as members of ‘young governance’.

“Parents and carers almost unanimously support the school. One parent, reflected the views of many when saying, ‘Greatham School is a fantastic community, and its nurturing ethos shines through.’

“Leaders, governors and staff know their school and community exceptionally well,” the report adds, before hailing high pupil attendance and the school’s “innovative and superbly sequenced curriculum.”

The Ofsted questionnaire responses were equally good, as 97 per cent would recommend GPS to another parent while 98 per cent felt their child is happy at the school.

Miss Goman said everyone at GPS is “understandably thrilled” with the report with the school officially remaining “good” at the very least for the time being.

The school’s head of governors, Sarah Phipps, believes GPS would have received an “outstanding” result if the school was graded with its inclusive culture being hailed as key to its success.

“Understandably, we are thrilled,” she said to parents.

“We are determined to be the best we can be and continue to listen, learn and grow in order to make every child’s time with us the best it can be.

“We are sure that you would all agree that the Governors need to give a huge thank you to our Headteacher, Miss Goman.

“Her passion, enthusiasm, compassion, hard work and commitment to drive for educational excellence for each individual child, is at the heart of our success.”