Pupils at a troubled village school have produced a much-improved set of results to help boost morale.

Youngsters in their final year at Great Bentley Primary School significantly topped marks achieved last summer in their SATs tests.

Head Yvonne Tatam said she was delighted for everyone involved.

This year 61 per cent of pupils achieved level four and above at keystage two in maths compared with 25 per cent last time around.

In science the figure rose from 54 per cent to 69 per cent and in English it was up from 48 per cent to 59 per cent.

"Obviously I am absolutely delighted and thrilled by the results," said Mrs Tatam. "The results in maths are the best since I have been here and they have come at the best possible time.

"It has been very difficult in the past weeks since the inspectors identified us in need of special measures in our Ofsted report.

"We are all pulling together and the staff have been very supportive of me - and I am delighted with these achievements for them."

The school was criticised by Government Ofsted inspectors who called for special measures to provide an acceptable standard of education and demanded improvements in many subjects.

A group of angry parents passed a vote of no confidence in Mrs Tatam and the school governors.

Mrs Tatam said the aim was to press ahead for even better results next year.

"In maths we will be looking to top 70 per cent at level four and above and we have to work towards Government targets of 80 per cent in English," she added.

"Everyone here wants the school to get better and I can assure all parents of that. What we need to do is get them back on our side."

Mrs Tatam praised teachers at the 220-pupil school for the way they had soldiered on under the criticism.

"They have been tremendous throughout and the results will be a big morale-booster for them - and they deserve it," she said.

Governors and staff are currently preparing an action plan to improve standards.

Teachers praised as primary students topped last year's results

Parents are rallying to support the school.

Heather Thompson, of the De Vere estate, Great Bentley, said she had "no intention" of removing her daughter Polly, who is year three, from the village's primary school.

She said that not all parents wanted headmistress Mrs Tatam to go. She added: "Myself and my partner have no complaints whatsoever."

Jill Sawkins, of Pine Close, also said she supported the head. She said: "There are quite a few who really are positive and want to stick by Mrs Tatam.

"With my little girl, her happiness comes first and she loves to go to school and she is doing really well."

Michelle Crockford, who has two children at Great Bentley Primary and went to the school herself, said: "I have no problem with the head at all. I think if everyone works together it can only get better."

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