PRIMARY SCHOOL OF THE YEAR SPONSORED BY OUR LADY AND ST JOHN CATHOLIC COLLEGE

SCHOOL - The Redeemer CE Primary School

BASED - Jack Walker Way, Blackburn

NUMBER OF PUPILS: 402

SCHOOL MISSION/VISION: Believing, Loving, Caring, Sharing. Everyone growing in the light of Christ.

THIS hotly contested category was won by The Redeemer because not only does it provide excellent education for its own pupils but it also helps other schools achieve great things as well.

Since it got national Teaching School status three years ago, it has helped six other schools in the Blackburn with Darwen area.

“We believe in giving every child these life chances and so we provide school to school support,” said Maggie Duncan, school business manager.

“So far we have helped six other schools, helping them go from category four Ofsted judgement to category two. One huge success story was with St Stephen’s, Tockholes, where we did this in two terms (the school went from ‘Requiring Improvements’ to ‘Good’). We have done this by sourcing expertise locally and matching that with the needs of schools. Through our Teaching School status we have brought in £60,000 of school improvement money for these schools that otherwise would not have been available to Blackburn with Darwen.”

She said the whole school was thrilled by the Lancashire Telegraph award. “It’s the recognition of the hard work our staff and children have put in. It’s fantastic!”

The Reedemer was named as one of the top 12 schools in the country recently and Maggie says it is also in the top one per cent for school efficiency, according to the Government’s efficiency matrix which looks at how public money is spent.

“We also pride ourselves on our children’s behaviour when in school and out on visits, often gaining recognition from the general public. This is due to the experiences we provide for children which include lots of extra-curricular activities, trips, clubs and sporting opportunities,” she said.

She said the leadership and hard work of head teacher Alison Ashworth-Taylor set the tone for the school.

“This award is a huge achievement. In schools we work really, really hard and the children are at the forefront of that. But for staff to be recognised like this is a real morale lifter.”