STABILITY is bringing results to one of Bury's high achieving schools.

After a period of change, during which one member of staff remains from an Ofsted inspection four years ago, Our Lady of Lourdes RC Primary is rapidly climbing back to the academic heights which put it among the highest five per cent of schools nationally.

Making clear the situation at Our Lady's, the reporting inspector said: "The 1999 Key Stage 2 test results were easily the worst in the school's recent history.

"This can be attributed partly to the effects of staffing disruptions between 1996-98.

"It should also be noted, however, that with a year group of less than 20, poor performances from just one or two pupils can have a very large effect on the aggregated results.

"A fairer reflection of standards is obtained by averaging the results over the four years 1996-99. "This indicates that overall performance was well above the national average."

Provisional results of the 2000 Key Stage 2 national tests indicate very substantial improvements over the 1999 results.

The inspection team added: "The overall effectiveness of the school is good.

"Not only are nearly all 11-year-olds attaining average or above average standards, and achieving to their potential, but their personal and social development is also very good.

"This is the result of consistently good teaching by a caring and committed staff and a well-planned curriculum."

The report goes on: "The leadership of the school, particularly that provided by the head and deputy, is outstandingly good.

"Over a two-year period, their work has produced dramatic improvements in all aspects of school management and organisation.

"The school provides good and improving value for money."

Of the teaching, the independent inspectors assessed that a massive 97 per cent was satisfactory or better with an incredible 83 per cent of that in the good to outstanding bracket.

The attitudes of pupils at school, their behaviour in and out of classrooms was deemed to be "good" while "very good" described personal development and relationships as well as the attendance rates.

In a separate inspection of religious education by the Diocese of Salford, their inspector said the Purbeck Drive school was a "good" Catholic school with a clear sense of purpose."

Chairman of governors, Rev. Paul Cannon, said: "I am proud to be chairman and delighted that the dedication of a committed staff has been recognised in both the Religious Inspection and the Ofsted Report."

Headteacher, Mrs Myra Moran, added: "Both the inspection reports acknowledge the professionalism and commitment of staff and governors who have worked so hard to ensure that Our Lady of Lourdes is a successful school. "Our pupils are a credit to our school and to their parents."