THERE was ‘good’ news for a Royston school after it received a glowing report from Ofsted inspectors.

St Mary’s Primary School, in Melbourn Road, was graded Good in all areas, with the behaviour and safety of the children said to be Outstanding.

It is the first time the school has been inspected under the new “no notice” Ofsted system, which sees schools given just a day’s warning before inspectors visit. The “Good” rating means they have maintained the standard they achieved last time they were inspected under the old system, in June 2008.

St Mary’s headteacher Robert Dunbar, said: “The new inspection regime has raised the bar so that it is extremely hard to achieve an outstanding.

“I was pleased with the professional dialogue I had with the inspection team but not all inspectors are the same. The areas to develop – assessment, marking and handwriting – had already been identified under the school’s self-evaluation.”

Ofsted praised pupils for their “exemplary behaviour,” and noted progress the school had made since its last inspection, particularly in the early years foundation stage.

Meanwhile, 18 pupils from the St Mary’s choir supported internationally renowned pianists The Cann Twins at a Peace Concert held at St Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Church.

The concert was part of the Royston Arts Festival, and the choir sang Birds Lament and Evening as part of a tribute to English poet John Clare, and also gave the audience a rendition of Life is a Wonderful Thing.

• For more on the Royston Arts Festival, see page two.