SCHOOLS in Bolton and Bury have been missed off a special roll of honour by chief inspector Chris Woodhead.

None of them inspected last year have been mentioned in Mr Woodhead's annual report, which lists 223 outstanding and most improved schools in Britain.

But Lancashire-controlled Stubbins County Primary on the outskirts of Ramsbottom has been hailed as one of the most successful primaries in the country.

In his annual report, Mr Woodhead picks out the best performing schools from 7,284 inspected during 1997/98.

His choice was not based purely on exam results, but by schools providing the best quality education.

During that period inspectors went into 45 out Bolton's 128 schools and, although they gave a number glowing reports, none made the final roll of honour to be published today.

The nearest to be included are Stubbins, St Patrick's High School in Eccles and several Wigan schools.

Results

The accolade is a fitting farewell to headteacher Stan Johnson, who is leaving the small village school at Stubbins at Easter to work for the Lancashire education service.

Stubbins is praised for achieving good results compared to other schools with similar circumstances, and Mr Johnson said this reflected on the achievements of pupils as well as staff.

He warned about the dangers of judging schools by test results and added: "My vision of the school has always been to attempt to achieve high standards whilst maintaining a happy family atmosphere.

"There could be no more fitting tribute to that than this from Chris Woodhead and I will always be proud of our achievements."

Mr Wodhead lists 66 outstanding secondary schools, 41 secondary schools which have improved between their first and second Ofsted inspections, 94 successful middle, primary and nursery schools, and 22 special schools.

He also lists 103 schools to be taken out of special measures during the year. None are in Bolton. During the year two out of 13 Bolton secondary schools were inspected, 40 out of 104 primary schools, one out of five nurseries, and two out of six special schools.

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