SCHOOLS in Bolton are a class act . . . for eight have been singled out as being outstanding in a Government report.

The schools’ good performance was highlighted in the annual report from Ofsted — the Government’s education watchdog.

St Teresa’s RC Primary in Little Lever; Egerton Primary; Lever Edge Primary in Great Lever; Bolton’s Youth Challenge Pupil Referral Unit; Park School in Bolton; Thomasson Memorial School in Heaton; and Ladywood School in Little Lever received an “outstanding” grading.

Croft Nursery in Horwich was also praised in the report.

In Greater Manchester, 73 schools and nine childcare providers were judged to be providing outstanding care, education or skills.

St Teresa’s RC was one of just seven in Greater Manchester to be featured on the list for the third time after having been judged to be outstanding in all three of its previous inspections over the last 15 years.

Diane Bohan, St Teresa’s headteacher, said: “We’re delighted to be on the list. It’s all down to the good community spirit we have at the school.

“Everybody is prepared to work hard and try new things, whether it’s the staff, the pupils or the parents, and we always have an eye on high standards.”

Egerton Primary, Park School and Thommason Memorial were three of the 25 schools to be singled out for the second time.

Teacher-in-charge at Youth Challenge, Paul Hodgkinson, said: “This is excellent recognition for the staff and the pupils.

“The staff work hard with the young people, and the pupils, who, for whatever reason, have had negative experiences in mainstream schools, work to achieve high standards.

“To be highlighted in the report is fantastic for the parents.

“All the pupil referral units work hard to provide a safe and positive environment for the young people.

“We will continue to work to maintain and improve standards.”

Christine Gilbert, Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills, said: “It’s encouraging to see so much outstanding provision across all areas of education and care and I pay tribute to all who contributed to this success.

“The number of outstanding providers has risen by 989 compared to last year.

“Schools and colleges which have been categorised as outstanding in each of their inspection reports over the past 15 years are especially deserving of our commendation.”