AN ACCRINGTON primary school has leap-frogged from ‘failing’ to winning a glowing report from Ofsted.

St John with St Augustine CE Primary has moved from the lowest Ofsted rating straight to the second highest in less than two years. Teachers and pupils at the Maudsley Street primary are celebrating the inspectors' verdict, which has boosted the school's rating from ‘special measures’ to ‘good Headteacher Mark Proctor said: “We're all on cloud nine. We're thrilled to be out of special measures, of course, but to go straight to good is a rare achievement.

“There has been real teamwork to achieve this.

“Both from the staff who have been fantastic and the parents, whose support for the school has been overwhelming.

“Of course our children – who work hard, have fun, and took great pride in showing off their school and work to the inspectors – deserve a lot of credit. Needless to say, we now have our eye firmly fixed on the top rating of outstanding.”

The inspectors' report charts the school's rapid improvement over an 18-month period.

It said there has been a ‘tangible change in the culture of the school brought about by strong leadership and effective teamwork’. Inspectors also noted a ‘stimulating and happy learning environment where children and staff thrive’.

The headteacher is praised for his 'excellent leadership' and the staff for their 'consistently good' teaching, which has ensured that pupils of all abilities are doing better.

Of the pupils, the inspectors said: “Pupils are exceptionally polite and courteous to visitors, showing good manners at all times.”

County councillor Matthew Tomlinson, cabinet member for children, young people and schools, said: “I'm genuinely impressed by St John with St Augustine's achievement and I'd like to congratulate them.”