Click here to read the full report. STAFF and children at Harefield Primary School in Southampton have every reason to celebrate.

The school, formed out of the amalgamation of Harefield Infant and Junior schools in September 2006, has been given a glowing report by school inspectors.

They gave the primary the second highest grade of good.' It's a big turnaround in performance after Harefield Juniors' was heavily criticised by inspectors from the Office for Standards In Education four years ago when it was found to have serious weaknesses.

Now it is an altogether different story thanks to the hardwork and dedication of staff, pupils, parents and governors under the leadership of headteacher Gary Hampton.

He took over just before the schools merged and was praised by inspectors for his leadership and for successfully steering the school through change.

The inspection team found that Mr Hampton and his staff had built a team working with "determination" and "zeal" for the school.

Harefield primary was complemented for meeting all pupils' needs - including those who find aspects of reading, writing and mathematics difficult and children with English as a second language.

The quality of teaching was found to have greatly improved and was described as "good overall" with some outstanding examples.

Despite pupils starting school with well below average levels of attainment they were found to make very good progress so that standards were broadly average by the end of year two.

Educational standards remain broadly average at the end of year six.

Inspectors also found the well-planned lessons motivated pupils and maintained their interest.

Commenting on the Ofsted report Mr Hampton, who is determined to raise standards further, said: "This grade represents a huge amount of work by staff, pupils and parents over the last couple of years.

"The school scored Good' in every category-overall effectiveness, effectiveness of the foundation stage, achievement and standards, personal development and well being, teaching and learning, curriculum, care, guidance and support and leadership and management with behaviour scoring "Outstanding"

"It must be seen as great news for the community who fought hard in the primary review to keep the school open with the right number of places. This places the school in a positive position for further success for its pupils."

In another bonus for the school, Southampton City Council councillors last week approved the £5.1m cost of rebuilding Harefield Primary on the site of the former infant school.

Work is due to start in July and will take about a year.