AMBITIOUS leadership has seen a formerly struggling primary school receive an improved rating from the education watchdog.

Meadow Park Academy in Tilehurst was criticised by Ofsted in January 2016, which resulted in a series of follow-up inspections.

However, the school has climbed from a 'requires improvement' to 'good' rating and this has been put down to the huge influence of new leadership.

Stieve Butler took charge of Meadow Park after a turbulent spell of many head teachers in a short space of time and she was praised for her role in turning the school around.

During the April inspection, the school was judged to have made considerable strides and an 'outstanding' grade was awarded for early years provision.

Ms Butler said: “I am thrilled that all the hard work of the staff has been recognised and that our children are now benefitting from learning within an environment rated as good and outstanding.

"This is the first time that this school has been judged good or better and we intend to keep improving on the quality of education offered to children and families.”

Inspectors were particularly critical of leadership when the last full visit was conducted in 2016, although it was an overall improvement from the 'inadequate' rating from the previous visit.

A focus on making learning as enjoyable and inclusive as possible was among the highlights of the report for Meadow Park.

The inspection report added: "This is a good and improving school. All leaders and staff share the head teacher’s unswerving ambition to help pupils do as well as they can.

"Behaviour has improved significantly. Engaging teaching and an imaginatively designed curriculum have increased pupils’ enjoyment of learning.

"Pupils’ positive attitudes are evident in their increased attendance rates. Pupils from a wide range of backgrounds are mutually respectful within a harmonious community."

Ofsted inspectors found children responded well to the high expectations set by all staff.

Almost half of the pupils are from disadvantaged backgrounds, which is twice the national average.