CHILDREN in Stockton Heath were celebrating this week after receiving an outstanding report from Ofsted inspectors.

St Thomas' Primary School was described as 'a very good school were pupils achieve well' with standards well above the expected level.

The school was previously inspected in 1998 when Ofsted made several recommendations that the school has since addressed.

Rev Brian Harris, chairman of the school's governors, said: "It is wonderful to see that the school has received the recognition it truly deserves.

"I am very close to the workings of the school and am fully aware of the work that is put in, on a daily basis, to make sure that the children receive the best possible standard of education."

The South Warrington school was praised for above average standards in English, maths and science and the quality of teaching is considered to be 'very good'. Pupils' behaviour and attitude was applauded and the curriculum for all subjects described as rich and supported by other learning opportunities.

The report also commended the pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.

John Hankey, headteacher of St Thomas', said: "We are delighted that all the hard work of staff, parents, governors and children has been acknowledged.

"We are particularly pleased that all areas - the quality and standard of education, leadership and management, pupils' values and attitudes - were ranked 'very good'.

"We look forward to developing, even further, these achievements."