The last time Warren Dell Primary School was inspected by The Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills (Ofsted), it was branded “inadequate”.

Now, after a new headteacher and number of new teachers, the South Oxhey school has been deemed “good” in a recent visit from Ofsted.

Inspectors observed 14 lessons taught by seven teachers between March 2-3, and praised the Gosforth Lane school's improvements.

Reporting inspector Michael Sheridan said: “This school no longer requires significant improvement.

“School improvements are multiple and impressive. Attendance has improved steadily and is now broadly average. Pupils are now making accelerated progress as a result of good and sometimes outstanding teaching.

“The curriculum is well designed to be exciting and develop pupils’ skills. Pupils enjoy their learning a great deal and use their experiences from trips and visits to good effect as a stimulus for writing and speaking.

“The teaching of spelling is taught well and the previously reported gaps in pupils’ knowledge of the sounds letters make are being filled rapidly.”

Jenny Morley, headteacher since the start of the school year, said: “Everyone here is ecstatic. It was quite emotional getting the feedback as everyone involved with Warren Dell have worked so hard.

“It has been brilliant to have the progress and achievements of the school recognised. Everyone is now looking forward to building on this.”

The school was last inspected in December 2009 when it was given a Notice to Improve, and has since been awarded Healthy Schools status, the Bronze Eco Award and the foundation level International Award.

Most of the current teachers have been appointed since the last inspection, as well as a new headteacher and deputy headteacher.

Mr Sheridan added: “Senior leaders have proved themselves. They have galvanised the support of all staff and have driven school improvement with rigour and determination.

“Pupils enjoy their learning a great deal. In the best lessons, teachers use real life scenarios effectively to reinforce learning. Pupils in one class gasped and laughed as their teacher tried to eat a bread roll made by the teaching assistant who had used the wrong proportions of ingredients.

“Attendance has improved considerably because the school has engaged parents and carers and pupils in understanding the importance of good attendance, helped greatly by the fact that pupils want to be in school and enjoy their time there.

“Your school has improved a great deal since it was last inspected. It is now a good school.”