Shropshire’s oldest primary school which was recently saved from the axe is providing ‘good value for money’, according to inspectors.

Barrow Primary School, which earlier this month received confirmation it will become the first ‘Free School’ in the county, was visited by Ofsted inspectors who sent their report back to the school this week.

Simon Pennington, a governor at the school, which is between Broseley and Much Wenlock, said: “We had an Ofsted inspection the week before last and the report came in on Tuesday stating the present school has improved to ‘good’, so continuing its upward trend, which obviously is further great news for us and we will hope to build upon that with the Free School.”

Barrow will be officially closed by Shropshire Council in July next year, but will now re-open as a ‘Free School’ in the September. The new Barrow 1618 school will be independent, non-profit making, run by the campaign group but funded by the Government.