GOING from strength to strength. That's Millwood Primary Special School.

Ofsted inspectors visiting the Bury school, which currently caters for around 80 youngsters, the majority of whom have either moderate or severe learning difficulties, found that good improvements have been made since they called last in 1997.

Setting the tone for the rest of her report, registered inspector Noreen Buckingham opened it by saying: "The school successfully meets the needs of individual pupils in a flexible and positive way through class groups, subject groupings and inclusion both within and out of the school.

"Relationships with mainstream schools are very good and a number of pupils spent part of their time with their mainstream peers. The personal development of pupils is very good."

She added: "The quality of teaching is good overall and pupils learn well. A major factor in this is the very good planned teamwork between the adults working in the classrooms. "The leadership and management of the school are sound and all those with management responsibilities have a shared commitment and work well together, undertaking their responsibilities very conscientiously, ensuring that the stated aims of the school are well met. The school provides good value for money."

Other plus points put forward about the school include the fact that its provision for pupils with additional special needs is very good, as is the promotion of spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.

The ethos of the Millwood Primary is described as "positive" and that there is "enrichment" of the curriculum.

There were also top marks for the school's relationships with partner institutions, teamwork between adults and the quality of teaching.

Particular praise was given for the high standard of teaching found at Millwood, where a staggering 98 per cent was described as satisfactory to excellent.

Mrs Buckingham continued: "Since the last inspection, the staff have worked hard to develop literacy and numeracy skills throughout the school.

"All staff work together successfully and this goes a long way to creating the very positive ethos evident in the school."

The inspector went on: "All pupils, whatever their special needs, have full access to a wide range of out-of-school activities and enjoy a variety of curricular and extra-curricular experiences which enhance their learning and extend their knowledge, skills and understanding. The learning is enriched by very good links with the local community."

Mrs Buckingham said: "The headteacher and management team have a shared commitment to meeting the special needs of individual pupils and are successful in achieving this aim.

"The leadership and management of the school by the headteacher are sound and ensure that the day-to-day running of the school is smooth and efficient.

"The governing body meets regularly and is very well informed of the school's activities by the headteacher."

Commenting on the successful Ofsted inspection, headteacher Mr Bernard Emblem said: "We are delighted with this report, which recognises those aspects of the school we consider most important, including the quality of the teaching, our emphasis on teamwork, our good relationship with parents and the simple fact that the children enjoy coming to school.

"We are also particularly pleased with Ofsted's praise for our increasing emphasis on inclusion, made possible by support from the local education authority and local primary schools, especially Gorsefield, Mersey Drive and Elton.

"This report is a great tribute to all the adults and children who make Millwood a successful primary special school."