THE first school in the borough to be inspected under the new Ofsted system has been praised.

Cator Park School, Beckenham, was described as "welcoming, friendly, open and honest", in the report by the Government's education watchdog.

The Lennard Road school is the first in the borough to be inspected under the new system, where schools have three days notice instead of up to 12 weeks.

Teaching and learning was judged as satisfactory and students' behaviour was described as good.

Cator Park holds specialist status in technology and performing arts, meaning it gets additional funds and works with other schools to help pupils improve in these subjects.

The five inspectors agreed the school, which was granted specialist status in September, is "already bearing fruit both within the school and the wider community".

Headteacher Meryl Davies said: "We were particularly pleased with the judgement which confirmed our view there is good co-operation between students of different backgrounds and children feel safe at school."