THE first time Walmsley CE School, Egerton, came under the scrutiny of the school inspectors, they ordered that its paper grant should be cut until standards were raised.

The school buckled down and won back the grant the following year.

But that was 1870. Today, more than 120 years later, the primary school - rehoused in new premises in 1981 - has emerged from an OFSTED inspection with top marks.

"Walmsley CE School is a good school," says the OFSTED summing-up. It praises the good progress of the under-fives at the 273-pupil school in Blackburn Road and says the standards they achieve are better than national expectations.

The report says that the main core subjects of the National Curriculum are given high priority and are a major strength of the school. Standards in speaking, listening, reading and writing are good overall, and "play a crucial part" in the attainment of high standards in national tests. Skills in grammar, spelling and punctuation are well developed though there is scope for extending the children's knowledge of good quality literature. Maths is a major strength and test results are well above the national average, and science is classed as good to very good.

At both key stages in the curriculum, pupils' attainments are above average in all subjects with the exception of P.E. at Key Stage One where there are "some satisfactory features". Overall standards in Design and Technology, Geography, History and Music range from good to very good, and are high in Information Technology.

Pupils with special educational needs make good progress, and the children's behaviour is praised, with their attitude to school and motivation well above average.

Teaching quality is described in the report as good, some very good, with teachers' knowledge and expertise in most subjects sound, strong in Maths and English, though it says there is room for improvement in the use of baseline assessment in the reception classes.

It describes the school as well managed and says it benefits from the effective leadership of the head teacher and senior management team with the support of an active governing body , but says that development planning could be more effective.

Day-to-day financial arrangements are generally efficient and the school gives good value for money. Resources are classed as good, but the inspectors were concerned that parents now have to "fund day-to-day necessities".

The report praises the school's caring ethos, good relationships with parents, and links with the Church, and says they contribute to the children's positive attitude and good behaviour.

The inspectors recommend - "in order to build upon the school's good achievements and raise its high standards of work even further", a review of the provision of play opportunities for the under-fives, more effective long-term development plans, a wider range of teaching strategies, raising achievement in PE Key Stage One, and providing safe and adequate play areas for infant pupils.

Head Teacher Mr Barrie Bramham said he was pleased that the inspectors had found so much to praise about the life and work of the school and all involved in it, and provided helpful suggestions for future development.

And Mr Charles Bleasdale, Chairman of the Governors, added: "The staff and pupils at the school are to be congratulated on their joint achievement. This is a school of which we are justly proud. Attention will be given to the informed and supportive comments of the inspectors."

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