A SCHOOL with a good team spirit, quality teaching and well-behaved pupils. That is the verdict of Ofsted inspectors after visiting Cams Lane County Primary School.

Reporting inspector Kathryn Taylor said: "The quality of teaching has a positive impact on standards of attainment and the progress made by pupils.

"The school continues to maintain the strong relationship it has developed with parents.The quality of information provided is good.

"The school keeps parents informed about educational changes affecting their children and consults them about decisions regarding their welfare."

The report commented on the diligence of the school and governors in ensuring the health and safety of the pupils and praised the leadership and management as being "very good".

The headteacher was said to provide strong leadership and a very clear educational direction for the school.

In 93 per cent of the lessons, teaching was at least satisfactory and good or better in 60 per cent of lessons.

It was particularly good in English, ICT, art and history. But in seven per cent of lessons, the teaching was deemed to be unsatisfactory.

Inspection findings confirm pupils' above average overall attainment levels throughout the school.

Test results and inspection evidence confirmed that higher attaining pupils were now better challenged and achieved appropriate standards. But the school does have some weaknesses, most notably the size of the accommodation which was described as "poor".

This was said to restrict pupils' opportunity for practical and independent work.

In some subjects the lack of space for independent and group activities limited the progress made by pupils.

Inspectors also felt work planned for children under the age of five was not always appropriate to the specific needs of young children.

To tackle these issues a recommendation that the school works with Bury Council to alleviate overcrowding in classrooms was included in the action plan.

Other recomendations included providing access to a safe and secure outdoor play area for children under five and providing more opportunities for experimentation and learning through practical activity and play.

Headteacher Mr Gerald Ashforth said: "I have a hard working team at Cams Lane, which includes the staff, governors and parents.

"Everyone works with one single aim, and that is to provide the highest educational opportunities for our children, with the resources available to us.

"This report gives us the best possible platform to take our school forward into the new Millennium."

Chairman of the governors Mr Stephen Preston added: "This outstanding report confirms the governors' highly positive view of the school.

"Mr Ashforth and his team of dedicated teachers and allied staff are to be congratulated on continuing to give a first-class education to the children in their care."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.