OFSTED has written to parents at a village school to say it is not proposing a full inspection before summer term 2013.

National director Susan Gregory has contacted Norley Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary to say the school is maintaining its performance.

As a result, the school’s next inspection has been deferred.

The inspector explains that schools which are performing well are now inspected less often than other schools, normally once in five years.

Some good schools are inspected after three years but others may have their inspections put back.

In April 2009 the school received a ‘good’ rating from the watchdog.

To help decide whether Ofsted can wait longer than three years before carrying out a full inspection, she adds that inspectors carry out what is called an ‘interim assessment’.

This covers issues such as pupils’ attainment and progress, any inspections carried out by Ofsted since the last routine inspection, complaints, parents’ comments and any other significant issues which have been brought to Ofsted’s attention.

The inspector has told parents: “I am pleased to inform you that our interim assessment shows that the school’s performance has been sustained and that we can defer its next full inspection”.

Wishing everyone involved in the school ‘continued success in the future’, the inspector says an inspection could be carried out at an earlier stage if information is received which causes Ofsted to visit.