GOVERNMENT inspectors have given Bury's Elton High School top marks in a newly-published report.

A team from Ofsted, the Office for Standards in Education, described Elton as "a good school in which many pupils make good progress."

The report, published this week, followed a week-long visit last autumn.

The twelve-strong team sat in on 192 lessons and spoke to staff, governors, parents and children.

The school is praised for its educational standards and the improvement in pupils' attainment in their time there.

Exam results were above the national average for four consecutive years, and a good proportion pupils who are below average at age 11 achieve good GCSE results.

teaching standards are described as "satisfactory and often better" throughout the school, and inspectors found examples of "outstanding" teaching in several subjects.

Careers education is singled out for praise as "a strength of the school" and the inspectors were impressed by the range of extra-curricular activities offered to pupils.

The school's policy on discipline and behaviour is also praised, and behaviour of pupils in lessons and around schools is described as "good."

The inspectors were impressed with the way pupils of different abilities mixed well, and noted "there is no racial tension."

The Ofsted team also noted that attendance levels were above the national average, and the school's award scheme for good attendance.

Teachers are praised for their work and their command of their subjects.

"The quality of teaching in most subjects has a good impact on pupils' attainment and progress," the report says. "Other good features include lesson planning," it adds.

Work with children with hearing impairment is also praised, as is the work with special needs pupils, who are taught alongside mainstream pupils.

Coun Roy Walker, chairman of governors, said they were "proud" of the report.

He said: "It shows that Elton High is truly a living example of the current jargon phrase 'value added' in terms of academic achievement."

He said high flyers achieved "results as good as anywhere," while other pupils improved while they were at the school.

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