A primary school has been given cause for celebration as it has been awarded a positive watchdog rating. 

St Michael's CE Primary School in Great Lever has been given an "outstanding" rating by Ofsted after a recent inspection. 

The school, which has had the rating since 2010, underwent the ungraded inspection on July 2 and 3 this year. 

Now, the education watchdog has said that if the school were to undergo a graded inspection, it would have received an "outstanding" rating. 

In the report, His Majesty's Inspector Mark Enser said: "Pupils, including children in the early years, enjoy coming to this friendly and welcoming school. They are taught the importance of kindness and respect and demonstrate these values every day.

"In lessons, pupils work hard as they want to do well. They enjoy learning new things. This includes learning about the many different cultures represented in the school.

"Pupils happily learn about the differences between people. They are encouraged to ask questions and to be curious about the world. 

"The school has high expectations for what pupils can achieve. Pupils easily meet these expectations. They consistently produce high-quality work, and they discuss what they have learned with confidence."

Read more: Bolton primary school is 'one big, happy, inclusive family'

Read more: Young people receive the 'very best' education at this 'inspiring' school

Read more: Pupils, teachers and special guests gather as school rings in 'golden jubilee'

He added: "Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are given highly effective support to meet these high expectations. Pupils who are disadvantaged achieve highly, often outperforming their peers. 

"The school ensures that all pupils benefit from the many enrichment opportunities and clubs that are on offer to enhance their learning of the curriculum.

"Pupils also take part in many community activities, both in and out of school. They understand the role that they play in making their school a place where everyone can thrive." 

The report adds: "All pupils in the school study the same broad and ambitious curriculum. The curriculums for each subject are designed around the carefully identified knowledge that pupils need to learn."

"This means that teachers can easily check what progress pupils are making through the curriculum. If pupils have gaps in their knowledge, they are helped to catch up quickly with the class.

"The school ensures that pupils have many chances to revisit concepts that they have learned. Pupils build on their prior learning in a logical and well structured way. 

"Reading is a high priority in the school. Even the youngest pupils make strong progress with their reading knowledge. Children in the early years, including those in the provision for two-year-olds, have many opportunities to enjoy stories. The culture of reading for pleasure continues throughout the school." 

It adds: "The school fully understands the importance of giving pupils opportunities that go beyond their academic education. There is a very well-designed curriculum for personal, social and health education that also responds to the needs of pupils as they emerge. 

"The school has also understood the need to broaden pupils’ horizons. It has thoughtfully identified experiences that pupils might miss out on. The school has developed a programme to ensure that all pupils have access to these opportunities." 

Headteacher, Matthew Worden, said: "Staff at St. Michael’s work incredibly hard to provide the best education possible for the children and it is great for it to be recognised by Ofsted in this way. 

"I would particularly like to acknowledge the excellent efforts our children, parents, Governors and staff have made in the two years that I have been headteacher.  Working together so well makes all the difference. 

"The visiting inspector was hugely impressed by our school and was incredibly complementary about the educational provision that St. Michael’s provides. The inspector felt that what he had experienced during his visit was in-line with that of an outstanding school. 

"Of course, it is a little frustrating that the grade could not be changed from good overall, as it was an ungraded inspection, but I know that the school community share our collective pride at the inspection outcome."