Ofsted’s top inspector has written to a Dudley headteacher praising staff and management at the school.

Queen Victoria Primary School in Sedgley was rated as “requires improvement” following an inspection by the education watchdog at the start of December.

But the school’s headteacher, Catherine Rindl, has this week received a letter from Ofsted chief inspector Alison Spielman.

Ms Spielman noted that while the overall judgement was “requires improvement”, leadership and management at the Bilston Street school was judged to be “good”.

The chief inspector says she is “confident” the headteacher and her team will be continuing their good work.

“I hope this will be reflected in your next inspection outcome, probably in two years’ time or so,” the letter concludes.

The chief inspector said she was “delighted” the head and staff were making changes to “improve the quality” of education, and that she was reassured early reading and phonics had been prioritised for children.

The letter said Ms Spielman was pleased that staff had created a “warm and welcoming environment” for pupils, who “feel safe and enjoy being at school”. Mrs Catherine Rindl, headteacher at Queen Victoria Primary School, said:

"We were delighted to receive such a positive letter from Alison Spielman. It is really pleasing to see that leaders at Ofsted recognise the many strengths of our school, none more so than our staff, who work so hard and do a fantastic job for our children.

"We recognise we need to do more, but we believe we are close to becoming a good school and this letter indicates Ofsted do too."