A North Yorkshire school where pupils are “friendly, happy and safe” has been rated as good by Ofsted.

Inspectors said parents and carers are hugely positive about St Joseph’s Catholic Primary in Pickering and the care of the headteacher and school staff.

“Pupils are friendly, happy and feel safe in this school. Leaders strive to make the school a place where everyone can succeed,” the report says.

“Pupils enjoy learning from a wide range of extracurricular clubs. Activities such as boxercise, cooking and archery are well attended by all. Leaders encourage teachers to use the many opportunities in the local area to support the curriculum.

“Pupils behave well in lessons and around the school; the school is calm and orderly.

“All pupils know one another in this close school community. Pupils know to speak to adults should they have any concerns. They trust staff to listen to them if they have any worries.”

The school’s 87 pupils enjoy a wide range of school trips, including a visit to Dalby Forest and a steam train journey to Goathland.

Inspectors said supports pupils who join St Joseph’s in key stage 2 having had difficult educational experiences elsewhere exceptionally well.

“Their future educational opportunities are transformed,” they say.

St Joseph’s is one of 38 schools throughout Teesside and North Yorkshire, including the city of York, that make up Nicholas Postgate Postgate Catholic Academy Trust, which is also praised in the report.

“Leaders from the trust provide effective support to school leaders,” the inspectors say.

“The trust plays a valuable role in identifying and celebrating strengths while supporting areas which need further development.”

Safeguarding is effective, with staff having up-to-date training, and leaders follow up any concerns with appropriate and timely actions.

“They work effectively within the trust and with external agencies to ensure pupils and their families get the right support.

“Pupils are taught about keeping themselves safe, including online, but would like to learn more about how to look after their own mental health.”

Headteacher Gerard Eddy said he was proud to lead what he called a “special, warm and welcoming school”.

“I am glad this report reflects the hard work of all our school staff and governors,” he said.

“It also shows how we are blessed with wonderful support from our parents. We really are a family that cares deeply for one another.

“As soon as visitors set foot inside our school, they all say that they are struck by the calm and clearly very nurturing atmosphere.

“This was also remarked upon by both our visitors from Ofsted, who enjoyed seeing just how transformative a school St Joseph's is.

“We found the Ofsted visit to be a positive experience and have already started work on the development points they gave us.”

CEO Hugh Hegarty praised the staff and governors of St Joseph’s for their unrelenting commitment to every child in the school.

Mr Hegarty said: “The report is an endorsement of all the work undertaken to ensure every pupil has a wonderfully rich curriculum and an opportunity to access a diverse range of enrichment opportunities within a faith environment.”

He also thanked the school leaders for their work and parents for all their support for the school.