New principal Helen Whitehead said she is ‘delighted’ with the school’s progress.

Honiton’s Littletown Primary Academy has received a big boost after receiving a ‘Good’ rating in a recent Ofsted report.

The school has been working hard to forge links in the community, in particular with the Thelma Hulbert Gallery, where pupils have seen their work included in exhibitions.

New principal Helen Whitehead took up her post in January 2015, after five years at the helm of Marshwood C of E Primary School, in Dorset.

She said: “I’m delighted with the progress we have made since I came to Littletown Primary and we welcome Ofsted’s findings, which further highlight our ethos. I have a great team around me and we are fully committed to ensuring our students achieve their full potential in all areas.”

The Ofsted report specifically highlighted the new leadership as being key to Littletown’s upward trajectory.

The report said: “The new headteacher has made a positive impact on the school in a short time.

“She knows exactly how to improve the school and has taken swift and effective action to do so.”

In the six months since she took over as principal, Mrs Whitehead has introduced several new initiatives to enable pupils to progress further.

This includes allowing gifted and enthusiastic writers to work with professional authors, alongside pupils from other schools.

Tina Sillitoe, chairman of governors, added that the ‘hardworking and enthusiastic board of governors’ were ‘incredibly pleased’ with the Ofsted grading.

She said it reflected the ‘fantastic opportunities’ offered to children at the school and the ‘tremendous efforts’ by staff.

A larger-than-average primary school, Littletown Primary Academy opened in February 2012 and currently has a pupil roll of 456, spread over 14 classes for ages three to 11. It also has a nursery.