A primary school has been judged 'good' in all areas following its first Ofsted inspection since it became an academy sponsored by the Inspiration Trust.

The report for Norwich Primary Academy, previously Larkman Primary School until it converted to its new status in September 2013, said 'standards are rising very rapidly throughout the academy'.

The inspectors, who visited on July 16-17, said: 'The outstanding headteacher's single-minded determination drives the academy forward and gives pupils the best possible start to their education. In the relatively brief time she has been in post, she has been sharply focused and relentless in driving improvement.'

The report also praised opportunities provided by the school's extended school day, which is open to pupils in Year 3 to Year 6, and gives them an extra period of study, followed by enrichment activities.

The inspectors, who were led by Robert Greatrex, wrote: 'The extended academy day and teachers' good use of extra 'prep' time at the end of the day, enable pupils to access an exceptionally wide variety of learning experiences that enable them to thrive.'

They also said staff are trained to use new learning in one subject to help pupils to practise skills originally introduced in another.

Principal Tessa Holledge said: 'We were delighted with the way parents, pupils, and staff pulled together to get record Key Stage 2 results, and this confirms that the improvement goes right through the school.'

The report said the school did not achieve the top 'outstanding' rating because 'standards are not as high as they could be because teaching is still having to plug some gaps in pupils' prior learning', and some teachers 'do not use their marking effectively to give pupils the feedback they need to improve their work'.

It added that 'pupils' positive behaviour occasionally lapses when staff are not consistent in the way they manage it'.

Do you have an education story? Email education correspondent Martin George at martin.george@archant.co.uk