TWO Blackpool primary schools have been praised for their Ofsted inspection results.

Education chiefs at Blackpool Borough Council are delighted with the latest reports for Bispham Endowed CE primary and Kincraig primary schools.

Inspectors described Bispham Endowed as "overwhelmingly successful" in achieving its aim of being a harmonious school where "staff care deeply for their pupils".

Good teaching was also highlighted as a strength of the school.

The school, which will start accepting infants from next September, was also marked "very good" for above average test results for 2001 and for a way of working that has led to positive attitudes and behaviour among the pupils.

The only area targeted for improvement was making sure class work builds on what pupils have learned by having consistent day-to-day assessment.

Head teacher Graeme Dow said: "We're extremely pleased with the report and with the inspectors' view that the school is an effective and improving school.

"Their conclusions are a celebration of the school's many strengths and what we are all working hard to achieve."

Blackpool Council's education director David Sanders also praised the school's staff for their hard work. "It was with great pleasure and delight that I read this very positive report on the high standards of achievement, attainment and pupil welfare at Bispham Endowed.

"Clearly the staff work as a very effective team and maintain very high standards of both teaching and pastoral care. This is evident on any visit to the school and is made manifest in the happiness of the children generally."

And Blackpool's newest primary school has received a pat on the back from inspectors for consistently good teaching of its reception pupils and the happy relationships among pupils.

Bispham's Kincraig Primary, which opened in September 1997, was also praised for its well organised support systems and "very good" progress of pupils with special educational needs.

But inspectors noted that the long-term sick leave of key staff had resulted in a lack of clear leadership and they said the school must improve attendance levels and the rate of progress for pupils.

Chair of governors Mr Deane Winter said: "I'm pleased the school's many strengths have been identified and we've already introduced measures to address the areas in need of urgent improvement.

"From now on we'll be examining our own performance more closely to help us to evaluate our strengths and weaknesses better so we can build on what we do well and quickly identify areas that need to be further developed."