A north Cumbrian village school has maintained its high standards despite being without its headteacher for a year.

Hallbankgate School, near Brampton, was rated ‘good’ following its latest Ofsted inspection in March.

Sue Lingard, headteacher of Hayton C of E Primary School, was brought in temporarily as executive head at Hallbankgate in April last year to cover 12 months maternity leave.

The report said: “Your temporary appointment as executive headteacher at Hallbankgate has ensured that the continuity of education for pupils has been maintained.

“The extended leave of the substantive headteacher has been managed well with support from the local authority. Governors describe the substantive headteacher as ‘inspirational’ and they value and appreciate the way in which you have maintained the quality of education in her absence.”

It said the governors were ambitious for the school and recognised its unique place in the community; that underachievement was spotted quickly and “tackled firmly”, due to rigorous monitoring and tracking of individuals; and that effective steps had been taken to address areas of improvement.

Headteacher Philippa Maleney, who returned to school this month, was “extremely pleased” with the outcome.

“Everybody has worked incredibly hard over the last three years to build on our existing strengths and respond to the many new challenges and changes within the education system,” she said.

“Mrs Lingard has done an excellent job working alongside the staff team during my maternity leave; ensuring that our high standards were maintained and that the school continued to move forward with our existing projects and development and improvement plans.”

She added: “Our school is a fantastic, child-centred learning environment within the heart of the community and it is always nice when this is recognised by others.”

Prior to this inspection the school was judged good in December 2012.

The next steps, the report said, were that the most able pupils make better progress in reading and writing, so a greater proportion reach the higher standards, and for further steps to be taken to improve the attendance of a small minority of pupils who do not attend regularly enough.