A BOLTON primary school has become one of the first schools in the country to take part in a new inspection process introduced by the Government's education watchdog Ofsted.

Brandwood County Primary School was one of 120 schools nationwide to be visited by Ofsted for a streamlined two-day inspection.

Senior staff at the Brandwood Street school completed an online self-evaluation form where they recorded in detail every aspect of the school.

And this form, along with questionnaires completed by pupils, parents, teachers and governors , formed the main focus for their Ofsted inspection in May.

Inspectors also used the school's SATS results in their evaluation.

The new inspection process, which will be introduced nationwide from September, was hailed by headteacher Rosemary Jones as the way forward.

She said: "In the past, we were given six to 10 weeks' notice by Ofsted inspectors and they would take three or four days to inspect.

"But now we are given one week's notice and they are only here for two days. The self-evaluation is very positive, we adopt a very honest approach and look at every detail of the way this school is run.

"This is very useful from the school's point of view because we can assess our strengths and also look at areas where we could improve. The self-assessment is examined by inspectors and they can query any aspect of our evaluation."

The school, which has 450 students who speak 27 different languages, was praised by Ofsted inspectors who highlighted the school's learning environment and senior management team as particular strengths.

The report said: "The school has many more strengths than weaknesses, and is a happy and harmonious community.

"The school's self-evaluation is thorough and rigorous. Regular and rigorous evaluation of the work of the school is a particular strength of the senior leadership team."