THE HEAD teacher at a “vibrant and welcoming” school has been praised for her work by education chiefs.

Ofsted inspectors lauded Susannah Daniel, head at All Saints CofE Aided Infant School in Reading, for her work.

A report revealed how Mrs Daniel has made the school a place where children “enjoy learning” and praised their outstanding behaviour.

It comes after an inspection earlier this year and the school has maintained its ‘Good’ Ofsted status.

An inspector who visited the Brownlow Road school said: “Pupils’ behaviour is commendable; they are friendly, polite, and keen to share their thoughts and feelings about the school.

“Both parents and staff talk positively about how the school has changed under your leadership.

“You have worked creatively to improve the facilities at the school despite the constraints of being housed in a listed building.

“Pupils and parents speak enthusiastically about the new library that has recently been created.”

During a previous inspection, the school was warned it must improve its attendance record for special educational needs pupils after it fell below the national standards.

In order to achieve ‘Outstanding’ status, Mrs Daniel was told leaders must make sure pupils are given challenging work to help them improve, particularly in their writing and mathematics.

The report continues: “You showed me compelling evidence of all that leaders have done to reduce absence. For example, you have insisted that pupils attend school whenever possible.

“You have changed school policy and procedures to support this firm stance. Leaders now insist that if children have medical appointments after 10am.

“You have taken some appropriate steps to improve the progress of these groups of pupils including a programme of staff training.

“You have ensured that in lessons teachers challenge the most able by providing activities that require deeper thinking.

“Evidence in workbooks shows that pupils are now being challenged at a greater depth, particularly in writing.”