ON TRACK: Spring Creek School principal Andrew McFarlane says the school's excellent ERO report is 'fantastic'. He is pictured with Anaru Walker, 10, front, and other students in the school's Rimu room.

One of Marlborough's smaller schools has been given a big tick of approval in a recent Government Education Review Office (ERO) report.

Spring Creek School was visited several months ago by national reviewers, and has been praised in the report's findings.

Students were supported by staff and other students in the playground, were actively involved in games, and demonstrated high levels of engagement in class programmes, it said.

Principal Andrew McFarlane was also praised for effective and professional leadership, and the board of trustees was commended for its "focused and enthusiastic" approach.

Partnership with parents was strong and students reached, or exceeded national numeracy and literacy standards.

Students were also above the national achievement rate for Maori, it said.

Mr McFarlane, who has been the school's principal for seven years, said it was often hard to gauge where the school was at, but "you think you're taking things down the right track".

The ERO report recognised the hard work the staff, parents and community had put into the school, Mr McFarlane said.

Small class sizes (the largest is 18 students) worked in the school's favour and were a huge factor in learning. "Anyone who says that class numbers don't matter is dreaming."

The school's Cornerstone Values – honesty, kindness, consideration, compassion, obedience, responsibility, respect and duty – were enforced within the school and contributed to the good environment, he said.

"That's our job, to teach the kids to read and write, but also to make them good people as well."

Numeracy and literacy levels were the school's key focus, and Mr McFarlane was pleased this had been recognised.

Spring Creek School is a decile four with 45 students.

The full report is available at ero.govt.nz.