A PAIR of Keighley primary schools which co-operate to drive up standards have both received positive assessments in two separate reports.

St Joseph's Primary School has been judged "Outstanding" in a Diocese of Leeds inspection report, while Our Lady of Victories (OLV) Primary has received a "Good" rating in an Ofsted inspection.

John Devlin, who is the executive head teacher for these two schools, welcomed the assessors' findings.

He added: "Regarding both schools, I'm very proud of the way that staff and pupils from the schools work together.

"We refer to each other as 'our sister school'. We work with and on behalf of each other and we help to make each school a better place for our children.

"I am very confident that working together can only benefit the two school communities, and I'm delighted that this has been recognised by Ofsted and the diocesan inspectors."

The diocese conclusions on St Joseph's Primary, were published following an inspection visit earlier this month. (June) They praise the commitment shown by the school's leaders and governors.

The report also notes: "Regular visits to the school by different governors ensures that they remain in touch with what is happening.

"The parish priest is a key member of the school community, providing support for pupils, staff and parents in his role as chaplain and as governor responsible for religious education.

"Teaching is consistently good with many outstanding features. Children are engaged throughout lessons and remain on task whether under direct supervision or not.

"Pupil attainment is good with the majority of children achieving at or above expected levels. There is a clear trend of improvement throughout the school.

"Relationships are excellent within the school and children take responsibility for their own actions and help others when in need.

"Parents have a high sense of appreciation for the school and all it does for them and for their children. They particularly value the efforts the school makes to enable them to feel involved, for example through Twitter, the website and newsletters."

The Ofsted report on OLV Primary follows an inspector's visit staged last month. (May)

The inspector states: "Pupils behave very well around school and in lessons. They are respected by their teachers and respect their teachers in return.

"Pupils are proud to be part of Our Lady of Victories and embrace the school values of ‘love, forgiveness, trust and acceptance’.

"Teachers have high expectations of how pupils will behave in lessons and have thus developed successful relationships with pupils.

"School staff have introduced more rigorous processes for teaching reading, working with focus to develop pupils’ vocabulary and enabling them to further develop reading comprehension.

"As a result, pupils are now demonstrating higher-order reading skills more frequently and effectively.

"Pupils really enjoy books and teachers have improved the provision for reading. Consequently, pupils’ progress and attainment in reading has accelerated this year so that higher proportions of pupils are working at standards expected for their age."

OLV has also recently been designated a "National Support School" and Mr Devlin designated a "National Leader of Education."

This recognises the school's leadership and staff's use of their skills to help other schools in challenging circumstances.