A SMALL school which has made improvements since a new headteacher was appointed has received a positive report from Ofsted.

St Peter's RC School, in Newchurch, has 87 children aged between four and 11. In 1996 it was placed under special measures after an inspection said it was 'failing' its pupils.

Special measure were lifted in 1998 and at its recent inspection, headteacher Peter Stec, was praised for providing good leadership and setting a clear educational direction for the school.

They noted: "The school is successfully overcoming a period of instability resulting from staff changes and the necessity for temporary staff appointments.

"Improvement since the last inspection in 1996 has varied between good and unsatisfactory... improvement was unsatisfactory until the appointment of the acting headteacher (now head) in November 2000.

"Since his appointment he has shown commitment to the school and has begun to address many of the issues identified in the previous report of 1996 and in the report by Her Majesty's Inspectors in 1998."

teaching was found to be good or better in 71 per cent of lessons. satisfactory in 25 per cent and unsatisfactory in one.

Inspectors found pupils had good attitudes, behaviour and relationships and the provision for spiritual, moral and social development was well met.

The school was advised to address teaching, which was less than good, improve standards in information and communication technology, improve procedures for assessment and improve the quality and range of resources.

Chairman of governors Father Gerard Duffy, said: "This is a very positive report which shows the great strides the school is making under the leadership of the new headteacher.

"The improvements would not have been possible without the hard work and commitment of everyone associated with the school."