SCHOOL inspectors have held up a primary school as a class act - and recommended staff patent their recipe for success.

Youngsters and teachers at Birchwood CE Primary will deserve every day of their six-week summer break after being given a remarkable report by OFSTED officials.

Chief inspector Sonja Oyen told headteacher Avril Topping as she concluded her examination: "Whatever it is you've got you should bottle it and sell it."

The end-of-term bonus has thrilled Mrs Topping and governors - and similar kudos were handed out by religious officials who visited the Admirals Road school following a Church of England inspection.

The OFSTED report praised the school as "a haven where the child comes first and where staff and pupils jointly work for and celebrate achievement."

Learning to read was a particular favourite among pupils, who picked up the required skills with speed.

The work of teachers with special needs students was very good, according to inspectors with high standards of behaviour and an eagerness to learn evident generally.

Teamwork had produced a "happy school" with the spiritual, moral and social development of youngsters.

The report, which applauds headteacher Mrs Topping for leading by example, concluded: "The school has many more strengths than weaknesses."

Work needs to be done to address "below average" performances in information technology after Key Stage Two - but an action plan is in place to remedy the situation.

Mrs Topping said: "After an extremely rigorous inspection, I take pride in the many positive judgements in the report.

"And I would like to pay tribute to all those who contributed to our success - staff, the church, parents, governors and children, who all play an important part in giving this school its special character."

Governors' chairman Rev Roger Hardcastle added: "I count myself privileged to be associated with a dedicated and highly skilled team, working together to provide the best education for our children."

The church report praised the school for a "warm and caring ethos" covering all aspects of Christian life in the curriculum and beyond.

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