A GOOD school with outstanding features is how one inspector has described a top-performing Bury primary.

Our Lady of Lourdes RC in Rudgwick Drive was praised in an Ofsted report. In a letter to parents, inspectors felt new headteacher Mrs Donna Kiernan had made a tremendous impact.

They also praised the variety of after-school clubs and highlighted the singing talents of the 136 pupils. The inspectors also found all children were encouraged to live a healthy lifestyle, taking regular exercise, eating good foods and drinking plenty of water.

The school was rated outstanding in its ability to set clear directions, leading to improvement and promoting high quality of care and education. Ofsted inspection grades range from Grade One, which is outstanding, to Grade Four which is inadequate. Our Lady of Lourdes scored grades two and one all the way.

Lead inspector Mr Joe Peacock said: "This is a good school with some outstanding features. It provides good value for money. The school is accurate in its own appraisal in most areas. Inspection evidence agrees that it is good, but judges provision for care, support and guidance to be outstanding, rather than good.

"The attainment of most pupils is generally above average, with none significantly below average by the end of Year 6. Pupils' performance in the 2005 national tests for 11-year-olds ranked the school in the top of the local authority league tables.

"However, standards in writing lag behind those of other subject areas and there is no effective system for assessing pupils' progress in science."

Mr Peacock went on: "Teaching and learning are good. Provision in music is a particular strength. Children settle quickly in Reception and make good progress, achieving their targets in all areas of learning before the end of the year.

"The vast majority of parents are very supportive. They appreciate the quality of care and easy contact with their child's teacher. The outstanding leadership of the headtacher is appreciated and valued by all."

The report also said teaching and learning were good: "Care for pupils is outstanding and contributes effectively to their good progress and to their enjoyment of school.

"Leadership and management, at this stage of the school's development, are good.

"The headteacher has a special gift of being able to communicate and connect with people and is highly regarded by parents, staff and governors. Governors are delighted with the school's growing reputation and demand for places."

Commenting on the Ofsted report, chairman of governors Mr Bert Wright said: "We are delighted with this result. It is an outstanding achievement to get such good grades across the board.

"I am very proud of the pupils, parents and teachers and all our staff members, who work so tirelessly to make the school into such a fantastic learning facility."