A SCHOOL where nearly half of the children do not have English as a first language is making great strides in the educational stakes.

Brandwood County Primary School, Daubhill which is in one of Bolton's most deprived areas, has won praise from OFSTED inspectors for its successes in teaching the basics to pupils.

Twenty nine per cent of pupils who attend Brandwood have been identified as needing special educational provision and the school's efforts and successes in meeting these needs is singled out for praise.

Its "imaginative" use of space and facilities is regarded as a major strength as is its efforts to overcome the language barriers staff and pupils encounter when they first come face to face.

The school has its own reading scheme, devised by staff members, and at the end of key stage one, the vast majority of pupils reach Government set targets.

The commitment of staff, their efforts outside school hours to enhance pupils' lives and the staff's determined efforts to introduce an ordered, cohesive behaviour policy, are all regarded as added strengths.

Reservations were expressed about pupils' progress in Information Technology and the lack of computer and PE facilities are remarked on in the report.

But overall, the report concludes that: "The quality of education provided by the school is good and the school gives good value for money".

Headteacher Mr Michael Chapman, said: "I am delighted that the inspectors recognise the achievements on the basic subjects.

"Without doubt this is a school committed to the importance of teaching children to read and write well and have good competence in numbers."

"With these basic skills the children are then able to make good progress in other curricular areas.

"It is also heartening that the work done in behaviour management was also recognised, that this is a school which teaches right from wrong and it promotes equal opportunity for all of its pupils. All of this comes from a highly committed and hard working staff and I pay tribute to them."

In almost 90 per cent of lessons, standards of teaching were satisfactory or better and particular mention is made of the weekly assembly at which individual pupils' achievements are read out and gold stars awarded.

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