THERE was a mixed report for Padiham St Leonard's Primary School after inspectors called.

The OFSTED watchdogs found the majority of pupils reached satisfactory standards in most subjects.

Standards of behaviour were high. Pupils' spiritual, moral and social development was an increasing strength and the school had a clear vision of the future.

But there were black marks, too, for the 157-pupil church-aided school where inspectors found "some significant shortcomings" in the quality of teaching in some areas.

Their report states that standards in English were low and the school did not give adequate value for money, though it had created the context in which that could be achieved. They say: "... the slow progress made by many pupils in reading and writing is holding back standards across a range of subjects, including mathematics and history"

They add that a significant minority of pupils are not achieving national levels in a number of subjects.

But there is praise, too, with the inspectors spotlighting the governing body and headteacher for "considerable leadership."

The report states: "This is a school in which the governing body, headteacher and staff have worked hard to provide a sound basis upon which to provide for the educational development of pupils.

"The school's strong ethos, the improving quality of he resources and accommodation and the positive attitudes of the pupils to learning are testament to the extent of the changes in recent years and provide a firm basis for further development."

But the report adds there is still work to be done to better standards and gives the school a seven-point plan of action to bring about improvements.

In a separate inspection on religious education and collective worship at the C of E primary, the Rev Walter Drain found St Leonard's had a clear Christian ethos, found religious education taught to a sound and satisfactory standard, collective worship was to a high standard and pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development was good.

He commends the head and staff for their professionalism and deep level of care and commitment to pupils.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.