PUPILS at the UK's first state-funded Hindu primary school are well behaved, enthusiastic and "play and work in total harmony", according to the education watchdog.

Krishna Avanti Primary School in Camrose Avenue, Edgware, received the second highest 'good' grade for overall effectiveness and the highest 'outstanding' rating for its "capacity for sustained improvement" from Ofsted, the Office for Standards in Education. It also earned a mix of 'good' and 'outstanding' scores in the remaining categories.

The school, with 85 pupils in three classes, opened two years ago but relocated into its purpose-built, ecofriendly building - focused around a temple - in time for September last year.

It is currently only a third full and will grow by one intake a year to reach its full complement of 210 pupils plus the nursery in 2016.

Headteacher Naina Parmar said: "Krishna-Avanti is led by a talented and dedicated team, comprising our staff, governors, faith partner and the local authority.

"Together, we are well on the way to creating a world class learning environment of which Harrow and Britain can be proud."

The Ofsted report says: "Internally, there is great pride in the design of the school to encourage quiet, peace and calm. The pupils fully respond to this.

"Their joy in coming to school is very evident and is demonstrated in their regular attendance, punctuality, first-class behaviour and sense of purpose.

"They play and work in total harmony and respond enthusiastically to their teachers. Pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is outstanding."

Inspectors found children's academic achievement was "above average" and "teaching is improving day by day".

They noted: "Pupils are increasingly being encouraged to evaluate how they can improve their work.

"Such opportunities are not yet fully established, however, and there are occasions when pupils are not given sufficient information about their targets, or opportunities to discuss how they can meet them."

Vice chairman of the governing body, Dr Kirit Modi, said: "The governors are delighted that Ofsted has recognised the strong start the school has made.

"We are grateful to Naina Parmar as well as to all the staff, parents, pupils, volunteers and Harrow Council officers for all their hard work."