A GREAT Harwood school told it needed to improve by education watchdog Ofsted has done just that.

St Bartholomew’s Parish Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School was criticised in 2013 but was given an improved rating of ‘good’ earlier this month.

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The Ash Street school was praised by inspectors in several keys areas, while other areas it could improve in were also flagged up.

In his report, lead inspector Geoffrey Yates said pupils’ achievement was now above average in maths, reading, and writing by the time they left to go to secondary school.

He wrote: “Teaching is typically good. Teachers plan interesting work for pupils to do which successfully promotes their learning.

“Pupils behave well. They say they feel safe and that they enjoy school; this is demonstrated by their above-average attendance.”

To boost its rating to ‘outstanding’ in the future, Mr Yates said the school should provide more ‘outstanding teaching’, teach spelling skills on a consistently good basis, to help youngsters improve their number skills, and ensure students take teachers’ feedback on board, including marks given.