A below-par village primary school is showing signs of an increase in standards, according to a recent inspection.

Hoylandswaine Primary School was deemed to require improvement in all areas except the behaviour and safety of pupils following an Ofsted report in June.

However, a subsequent inspection, carried out by CfBT Inspection Services, suggests the Haigh Lane school is progressing and on the right track.

During the visit, meetings were held with headteacher Laura Cole, three members of the school's governing body and a representative from Barnsley Council.

Inspector Amraz Ali wrote in the report: "The headteacher has begun to systematically tackle the issues requiring improvement.

"There are early indications that progress across the school is beginning to improve.

"A programme of staff development is in place and training, such as improving teachers' skills at assessment and planning, has begun to strengthen the quality of teaching."

Since the summer Ofsted inspection there have been a small number of changes at the school with Mrs Coles, formerly acting headteacher, given the job on a full-time basis, three teachers changing the classes they tutor and an increase of 22 pupils - from 90 to 112.

Headteacher Mrs Cole said: "We're pleased the inspector confirmed to governors that appropriately urgent and incisive action had been taken.

"We're happy he felt no need to add any actions to the action plan or to revisit the school in the foreseeable future. We feel very positive about the confirmation that the school is on the right path to improvement."