Leominster Junior School, which has won awards under the Ecoschools and Investors in People schemes, has added a new feather to its cap.

The school, with a roll of 424 children, has been praised by OFSTED inspectors for its high quality curriculum, its good teaching and the enthusiasm of its pupils.

Music teaching and a wide range of after-school activities are identified as major strengths of the school. Moral and social education was very good and children were being "well prepared for life."

Leominster Junior slipped in some areas in 2002 when its standards is English and mathematics were "well below the national average" and "the lowest they had been for a number of years," according to OFSTED.

The situation is improving and further improvement is called for, says a report following a visit by a seven-strong team of inspectors in January.

Head teacher Ian Foster, who was praised for his leadership of a school described as "much bigger than most primary schools," said he was pleased with "a very creditable inspection report."