PRIMARY school teachers and pupils have won rich praise from a team of government inspectors.

The OFSTED report into Excalibur primary in Alsager highlighted high academic standards as well as the behaviour of pupils and strong links with the community.

Four inspectors visited the school over a week in September and said the curriculum for children under five offered the "best possible start" to their school life.

They added that by the end of Key Stage Two standards in maths, English and science were well above average.

They added that children with special educational needs also made good progress at Excalibur, which has 206 pupils.

"The curriculum is enriched by very good links with the community, and the extensive range of extra-curricular activities on offer, such as literacy clubs, gardening and ITC ensure pupils social development is excellent," said the inspectors.

They added that the school wqas very efficiently run, and gave good value for money.

"It is encouraging to see the teachers and the pupils getting the recognition they deserve," said Kirsteen McDowell, acting headteacher at Excalibur.

"The inspectors pointed to a few minor issues at the school, all of which have either been or are being addressed."

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.