A Chester primary school "is a safe and welcoming haven for its pupils", Ofsted inspectors have found.

Pupils who attend Lache Primary School on Hawthorn Road were also found to be well behaved and are 'enthusiastic about their learning', in the report which has now been published on the Ofsted website.

The school has renewed its Good rating following the two-day inspection which was held at the school in May this year.

Inspectors noted: "Lache Primary School is a safe and welcoming haven for its pupils.

"Pupils are very happy to come to school. They enjoy being with their friends and they think very highly of staff. Pupils appreciate all that staff do for them.

"This is a very caring school where every pupil matters. Each morning pupils are greeted by Scooby, the friendly school dog. He helps some pupils who need additional support to settle into the school day and be ready to learn.

"Pupils behave well. In lessons, they are enthusiastic about their learning and listen carefully to their teachers. Pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), talk confidently about what they have learned.

"They benefit from a range of clubs on offer. For example, they attend archery, craft, choir and football.

"Pupils are encouraged to develop into responsible citizens of their community. For instance, each class decides how they will raise money for local charities."

Inspectors noted while there had previously been gaps in pupils' learning, due to "weaknesses in the previous curriculum, which were compounded by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic", the school had "since strengthened the subject curriculums". However, in writing, the curriculum in the early years and key stage 1 did not prepare "some pupils well enough for the demands of key stage 2".

Inspectors did add: "The school gives high priority to the teaching of early reading. This begins in the nursery class where children enjoy listening to new stories and comparing them to stories that are more familiar."

In terms of extra-curricular activities, there was the 'eleven by eleven' pledge which encouraged youngsters to access activities such as "going to the theatre or learning to ride a bicycle before they leave Year 6."

In addition, inspectors said: "Pupils especially enjoy the range of visits that they go on. For example, the annual trip for the whole school to the local zoo. Older pupils develop their leadership skills through a range of roles. For instance, house captains help to lead a weekly assembly."

Identifying where the school can improve further, inspectors noted improvements could be made to the writing curriculum for younger pupils, and noted pupil absence rates were higher than the national average.

Lache Primary School was assessed as being Good in all areas, the same rating as its previous inspection in 2019.