A school which was condemned in a damning Ofsted report is celebrating after Government inspectors praised it for its "strong, positive ethos".

Seaford Primary School was plunged into special measures two years ago after the Ofsted report criticised a catalogue of weaknesses.

But following a visit in October, the special measures have now been lifted.

Head teacher Stephen Kelly said he was delighted at the news.

"We are very pleased and the children are thrilled. They have been kept informed all along of what we were doing and why we were doing it.

"We are especially pleased the inspectors recognised the positive ethos of the school as its strength. We realise there is still plenty to be done but we're delighted the inspectors have acknowledged the hard work that has gone on here.

"It has been a great team effort by everyone involved," he said.

The 1999 Ofsted report criticised the school for making poor progress in the core subjects of English, maths and science and attaining below average standards at the end of Key Stage 1.

It also criticised the lack of planning that went into lessons and labelled the management of the school 'weak'.

Head teacher Collins Griffith resigned shortly afterwards. New principal Mr Kelly took over in September last year.

The latest Ofsted report said Seaford Primary was now providing an acceptable standard of education for its 433 pupils and gave satisfactory value for money.

It said: "There is a strong, positive ethos throughout the school. It is a happier learning centre and provides a sound education for the pupils."

Children were now making good progress in the Foundation Stage, developing personal and social skills and rapidly improving language, literacy, mathematics and knowledge of the world.

Standards of teaching were satisfactory or better, leadership and management was good and the behaviour and attitudes of the pupils to their work had improved.

National Curriculum results for 2000 were better than those of 1999 at both key stages. However, the 2001 results showed a mixed picture indicating some underachievement, particularly in maths.

The report noted: "The school has developed a stronger work ethic and there have been steady improvements in the quality of the learning environment and the work in the pupils' books.

"The pupils are enthusiastic members of the school council and feel they have an important role to play in the life of the school."

Key issues to concentrate on included improving pupils' progress in core subjects at both Key stages and in particular raising attainment at the end of Key Stage 1.