Princesses, wizards and witches celebrated the news that Buxton primary school has been removed from special measures.For the good news came during its book week celebrations when children and staff were dressed their favourite characters.

PRINCESSES, wizards and witches celebrated the news that Buxton Primary School has been removed from special measures.

For the good news came during its book week celebrations when children and staff were dressed as their favourite characters.

The school went on special measures in June 2007 when inspectors gave it bottom marks, saying it was failing to give an acceptable standard of education and highlighting problems including inadequate leadership and management and poor pupil progress.

But Ofsted inspectors now say the 92-pupil school is satisfactory and improving, and have praised the united determination of staff in turning the school around.

Lead inspector Tricia Pritchard said: "Pupils are motivated to learn and are keen to talk about their lessons. Staff have shown a united determination to accelerate pupils' progress and to raise standards."

The latest report also praises the good team ethos, but calls for further improvements including greater challenges for higher-attaining pupils, better marking of writing - particularly correcting spelling and punctuation - and encouraging neater work.

Acting head Maureen Vaissiere, drafted in last September having helped another school out of special measures, said: "Coming out of special measures is a huge milestone for us as we continue to make Buxton School a great place for children to learn. But it

could not have happened

without the dedication of the whole school community and the support of Norfolk County Council to ensure that the children of Buxton get the education they deserve."

The school, where the governors have been replaced by an interim management board, would now seek to raise standards even higher, and find a new

permanent head.

There are now nine schools still on special measures in the county, and Rosalie Monbiot, Norfolk's cabinet member for children's services, said the improved figure was down to support being provided to schools.

"It is our ambition that all of Norfolk's schools should be judged good or outstanding by Ofsted," she added.