An East Molesey school is celebrating jumping an Ofsted rating following a recent inspection.

St Lawrence Church of England Junior School had previously been graded satisfactory, but was deemed good by inspectors who visited at the end of last year.

Since the previous inspection in September 2011, the school said changes had been made to help improve children’s progress in reading and writing, including a reading race.

As part of the race, pupils are encouraged to read daily to their parents and the best class at the end of each term wins a prize.

Damian Tucker, headteacher, said: “Attainment in the school had always been good but we knew that progress hadn’t.

“There have been many barriers we have had to overcome to move the school forward and the staff have worked tirelessly to succeed.

“We will not be resting on our laurels now but striving to make the school the best we can. We believe the children have a thirst for knowledge and we want to give them that knowledge so that they are ready for the wider world.”

The inspectors report noted that since the previous inspection rates of progress in English and maths had improved, with attainment levels above average, and lessons and interesting and motivating to pupils.