A PRIMARY school in Rastrick has been rated Good by Ofsted.

Longroyde Primary School was praised by inspectors for its “outstanding” approach to student welfare.

In the report, Ofsted said: “The headteacher Robert Fox has provided inspirational and sensitive leadership.

“Consequently, staff and pupils alike endeavour to achieve their best.

“Senior leaders have raised the quality of teaching and assessment to improve pupils’ progress in reading, writing and mathematics across all key stages.

“Teachers plan a broad range of interesting educational experiences for pupils. They benefit greatly from the specialist teaching they receive in music, computing and physical education.

“Leaders are taking steps to make sure that the quality of teaching improves further, as new approaches still need to be fully embedded.

“Support for pupils’ personal development and welfare is outstanding. Pupils’ social, moral,spiritual and cultural development is a strength. Behaviour is good and pupils feel safe.

“Vulnerable pupils and those with special educational needs and disabilities make good progress from their starting points.

“Teaching in early years has improved considerably, and children make good progress.

“Safeguarding takes a very high priority. Staff ensure that pupils are kept safe, and pupils say they feel safe and well cared for in school.”

To become Outstanding, the school was told to fully embed new teaching approaches, plan more challenging work for pupils, strengthen curriculum planning so pupil knowledge is further deepened across more subjects, and continue to improve early years.

This was the first inspection at the school since the merger of the Longroyde Junior School and Castlefield Infant Schools.