Youngsters are jumping for joy at a Watford primary school, after receiving a glowing report from Ofsted.

Six years after placing the school in special measures, inspectors visited Parkgate Junior School in Southwold Road earlier this year.

Following the school's dramatic improvement since 2003, it has now been rewarded with a grade of “good”, as inspectors described it as an “effective school” with “above-average standards”.

Staff, however, have vowed not to become complacent as they strive to achieve an “outstanding” report in three years time.

David Wynford Jones, lead inspector, said that the school's relationships with parents are excellent, that pupils make good progress in their personal and academic development, and the quality of teaching is “good overall”.

He also praised headteacher Rachel Preston, who is “focused on raising academic standards and helping pupils to prepare for living in today's society”.

He added: “The school has made good progress since its last inspection and has good capacity for further improvement.”

Over the past year, the school has strengthened links with a local charities DRUM and Age Concern, as well as religious groups.

Parkgate also holds the Activemark for sports, despite not having any playing fields, and the Healthy School Award.

Ms Preston, who joined Parkgate as deputy headteacher shortly after it was placed in special measures, said she hopes the school is now one the community can be proud of and one that parents will choose to send their children to.

She added she was particularly pleased that Ofsted had recognised the significant improvements in teaching English and maths, and the school's emphasis on pastoral care.

“We're all really pleased,” she said. “It's fantastic because the staff and pupils have worked so hard over the last few years to make improvements to the school and it's wonderful to see that's been identified by the inspectors.

“We see ourselves as a school for the local community and we want to be giving the best education for children that live in this community.”