St John's C of E Primary School in Friern Barnet has received a glowing Ofsted report, in spite of last year's controversy over the behaviour of a five-year-old pupil.

Accusations of inappropriate sexual behaviour against the pupil and counter-accusations of racism by his parents led to the headmistress suffering a nervous breakdown, parents boycotting the school, and a policeman being stationed outside the school.

The report says: "Parents see the school as very good, a place where their children want to be, to do better and to improve themselves."

It continues: "The teaching is good and has improved since the last inspection [in 1997]. Such improvements have been managed well by the previous acting headteacher and now by the new headteacher."

It also said: "The governing body is very keen that the school's best interests are served and have worked unusually hard to that end... pupils are taught to respect the opinions, creeds and cultures of others and to celebrate their differences."

The council-led review suggested there may have been racism at the school and heavily criticised the previous acting headteacher and governors.

Chairwoman of Governors, Fiona Childs, said: "The [Ofsted] inspectors told me they expected the school to be on its knees."

She added: "On the whole we're really delighted with the report. The thing that does come through is that whatever happened last year, the staff kept going and did their job properly and the children didn't suffer."