OUR Lady's RC Primary School in Prescot has been widely praised in a report by Government watchdog, OFSTED.

The report found that over the last three years standards in English, Mathematics and Science have been consistently above the national average with the 1999 test results in English placing the school in the top five per cent in the country.

Inspectors also paid tribute to the school's leadership saying: "It achieves above-average standards within a very caring, Catholic ethos. The head teacher, senior management team and governors are highly committed to pupils' academic and personal development".

And the pupils themselves were found to have "very positive attitudes" with the older ones helping staff and generally setting a good example for the younger ones.

teaching at Our Lady's is described as being "very good' overall" with pupils making "good gains in their knowledge, skills and understanding in the vast majority of lessons." Eight per cent of all lessons were described as excellent.

The report adds that parents expressed positive views about virtually every aspect of the school and links with the local community are described as being "very good."

Headteacher, Mrs Dorothy Martin said: "The excellent report is a tribute to the hard work and commitment of all the staff. The very good standard of the teaching is reflected in the excellent results which the children achieve. I am delighted with the report and know that the school will continue to move from strength to strength."