A Bolton headteacher received recognition from the Minister for School Standards after her retirement was revealed in the House of Commons.

Andrea O'Callaghan, the headteacher of Thornleigh Salesian College, is set to retire at the end of the school year according to Mark Logan MP.

Mrs O'Callaghan took over at the college in Astley Bridge five years ago before which she was an assistant headteacher to her predecessor, Alison Burrowes.

Her retirement was revealed in the House of Commons as Mr Logan cited the college as one affected by Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC).

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He said: "Will students affected by RAAC, such as those at Thornleigh Salesian College, receive special dispensation in their A-Levels and GCSEs?

"Recently I met the college's exceptional headteacher, Mrs O'Callaghan, and I take this opportunity to wish her all the best on her well-deserved retirement at the end of the school year."

Mrs O'Callaghan received recognition from the Minister for School Standards.

Damian Hinds MP said he "congratulated", "commended" and "thanked" her.

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He said: "I join my honourable friend in congratulating, commending and thanking Mrs O'Callaghan on her life's work. 

"I appreciate the RAAC situation in schools is difficult, which is why we are trying to work with them on things like coursework assessment. They should be in touch with awarding bodies. We are also making sure we reimburse all reasonable revenue costs."

Thornleigh Salesian College is not among the five schools in the area on a list of those affected by RAAC. However it is understood all of its students are in full-time, face-to-face education.
On the list are Canon Slade, St Andrew's CE Primary School, St Bernard's RC Primary School, St Stephen and All Martyrs CE Primary School and St William of York RC Primary School.

Thornleigh Salesian College was approached for a comment.

This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.