Staff and pupils at a Rowley Regis primary school are celebrating the end of a troubled year after receiving a positive Ofsted report.

Rowley Hall Primary, Windsor Road, was served with a notice to improve' last year, when inspectors raised concerns about standards.

But now the notice has been removed with inspectors saying the school no longer requires significant improvement' and that standards are rising overall'.

They added: "The overall effectiveness of Rowley Hall Primary School has improved over the last year and is now satisfactory. Pupils are well behaved; they enjoy their learning and they are happy to be at school."

New methods at the school include interactive whiteboards, trips and residential visits and expressive arts activities including Wow Week'.

The school's strong focus on healthy lifestyles has also seen them scoop a gold-level National Healthy Schools award.

The report went on to say personal development was a strength of the school and pupils understood the responsibility of working together in a school community. Pupils also said they felt no threat from bullying.

Areas picked out for improvement include ensuring more able pupils are suitably challenged and achieve appropriately in the school.

Head Lynda Townsend said: "Firstly I want to thank all staff, pupils, parents and governors at Rowley Hall. Staff and governors would also like to express their appreciation for the support from Sandwell, together with the school adviser Anne Llewellyn, who were instrumental in providing the type of support any school would appreciate."

Chair of governors Bob Downing said: "The governors have always felt the school had the staff to deliver the curriculum in an efficient manner and the latest Ofsted report underlines this."