AN ACCRINGTON school is celebrating after a rating boost from Ofsted.

Benjamin Hargreaves CE Primary School has been elevated to a grading of “good” after it was told it required improvement when it was last reviewed in September 2013.

The Barnfield Street school was praised in all areas including leadership, teaching, early years provision and the development of the children.

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Inspector Kathleen McArthur said: “The strong commitment of leaders, governors and staff to continually move forward and make the school even better has ensured that teaching is now good and attainment has risen.

“Good teaching and the well-planned curriculum capture pupils’ interest, so they work hard and make good progress.

“The care with which pupils present their work is a real strength.

“The early years provision gives children a good start to their learning.

“All groups of pupils achieve well, including those who are disabled, those who have special educational needs and those who are disadvantaged.

“When pupils leave the school, attainment matches national averages, and more are attaining above this in reading and mathematics.”

The school was told that it is not yet ‘outstanding’ because while the teaching is improving, it does not result in outstanding achievement and attainment.

It was also told that a small minority of parents do not feel well informed about how the school manages some aspects of behaviour and the special education needs provision is at a very early stage of development, Ofsted said.

Headteacher Julie Nicol said: “Everyone is delighted at the inspection findings and believe that it was well deserved.

“Inspectors recognised the strong commitment shown by leaders, governors and staff to continually move forward.

“Pupils told inspectors ‘we have good lessons and sports opportunities’.

“The inspectors reported that early years gives children a good start to their learning and said all pupils achieve well.

“Behaviour and safety were highlighted as good.

“Pupils feel safe and secure because they are well cared for.”