STAFF at a Bolton primary school have been applauded by inspectors in a glowing OFSTED report.

Inspectors concluded that St Peter's Smithills Dean CE Primary is "a very good school" and praised almost every area of school life.

The report said: "This is a very good school with major areas of strength in leadership and management, teaching and the attitudes and behaviour of pupils."

Headteacher Valerie Skinner was described as a strong experienced leader who gives the school a clear educational direction, strives for excellence and is committed to raising standards.

Very good teaching is a strength of the school and more than three quarters of all lessons observed were good or better with four out of ten very good or excellent.

Children achieve at least national average standards in all subjects and often do better than expected for their age.

Teachers manage pupils excellently, give them praise and encouragement and use target setting to help them progress well.

Inspectors noted how quiet the school is because pupils become totally absorbed in their work and praised the pupils for being extremely well behaved and having very positive attitudes to learning.

Relationships within the school and with outside bodies and parents were also judged to be good and inspectors said pupils were well prepared for life in a multi-cultural society.

Inspectors said the school could still improve by increasing pupils' rate of progress in English at Key Stage 2 and stretch high fliers further.

Chair of Governors, the Rev R Oldfield, said: "This is an outstanding report. I am delighted for the hard-working staff and pupils and supportive parents. I am particularly pleased that the inspectors reported on the strong Christian environment in which all pupils are valued."

Parents' association chairman Julie Lloyd added: "All the parents I have spoken to think it's wonderful to have our own views officially confirmed by such a brilliant report."

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