A SCHOOL where two teaching staff were sacked following child sex offences has been praised for safeguarding measures.

Teaching assistant David Billington and teacher Adam Ratcliffe had worked at St Antony’s RC Primary School in Shadsworth Road, Blackburn.

Former teaching assistant Billington was jailed for 18 months at Preston Crown Court last year after being found guilty of nine counts of sexual assault, involving six girls.

Ratcliffe, who taught year six pupils at the school for two months, was spared jail earlier this year after he was sentenced to a three-year community order for possessing hundreds of indecent images of children.

But Ofsted inspector John Nixon said the school’s policies and procedures for the safeguarding of pupils  are “fit for purpose and of high quality”.

He added: “All required checks on the suitability of staff are carried out prior to them working in school.

“Safeguarding records are kept meticulously.

“Staff, including those in the school office, who are the first point of contact with the school, are vigilant and well trained.

“Leaders act swiftly and appropriately to deal with any concerns relating to safeguarding.

“Leaders share information with appropriate authorities to ensure the safety of pupils.”

Mr Nixon was visiting the school as part of a monitoring visit after it was deemed to require improvement on its last three inspections.

He found senior leaders and governors were taking effective action to tackle problems flagged up in previous inspections.

Mr Nixon added: “Following the last inspection, leaders have worked diligently to bring about improvements to the quality of teaching and leadership of the school.

“As a result, pupils now receive a better standard of education.

“The local authority and diocese have provided appropriate support and challenge for the school.

“This includes brokering additional and temporary support for leadership during the planned absence of the deputy headteacher."

“It also includes effective professional human resources advice relating to complex staffing issues.

“They monitor the impact of the support that they provide carefully.

“The school has drawn effectively on the support provided to help to secure improvement to the quality of education it provides for pupils.”

Mr Nixon said the school still needed to take further action to improve leadership and update information about the curriculum published on its website.

Headteacher Heather McGowan said: “I am very pleased with the report as it reflects the hard work and determination of our staff and governors who have worked tirelessly to improve our school, especially during recent challenges.

“The inspection gave us a chance to show the improvements we have made and the good work undertaken. It was great for the staff to finally receive official recognition for what they have achieved.

“The inspection day highlighted the children’s positive attitude and behaviour, teachers heightened expectations and our rich curriculum.

“We are pleased that the inspector recognised our school’s high quality, stringent and applied Safeguarding Procedures."

“The staff and governors at St Antony’s, will continue to strive to give all our pupils the very best education that can be offered.

“I would like to take this opportunity to formally thank our families for their faith in us, and their overwhelming support.”