The good times look here to stay at a Petersfield school as they’ve been given a decent grade by an Ofsted inspector.

Herne Junior School has retained its Good rating following its first in-person inspection since the pandemic.

Lead inspector Sue Keeling praised leaders for their ambitious curriculum and highlighted the “positive and respectful” relationship between adults and pupils following her visit on February 7 and 8.

She also found that bullying is rare at Herne Juniors while its well-behaved pupils are “enthusiastic learners and confident communicators”.

While the report makes decent reading for headteacher Susan Sayers and her staff, the school needs to make a few changes if it wants the top grade.

Expectations could be higher and sometimes the curriculum needs to slightly adapt for pupils with special education needs and disability, said the report.

“Leaders have designed an ambitious curriculum and have clearly set out the knowledge that pupils must learn,” it stated.

“Teachers know exactly what to teach and when to teach it. Pupils learn a broad range of subjects and, overall, they achieve well.

“However, in some subjects, pupils do not achieve as highly. In a few subjects, the curriculum has not been in place long enough to be embedded securely.”

But the observation is a only a slight blot on an encouraging report card at a school where all of the 478 pupils are “truly known as individuals”.

The inspector added: “Pupils behave well in class and demonstrate high levels of concentration. 

“Pupils have highly positive attitudes to their learning and work hard. They treat one another and adults with respect. 

“They are kind and considerate and want to do well.”