A HEADTEACHER has received "an excellent retirement present" after her school was praised by Government inspectors.

Susan Grimshaw will retire from Audley Infant School in Blackburn at Easter after 36 years in teaching.

Following a visit at the start of last November, Ofsted inspectors found that the Queen's Park Road school provides a good quality education where "teaching and learning are good with some outstanding features".

The report said: "The school is a vibrant community providing a purposeful and caring environment in which pupils say that they enjoy learning.

"The headteacher and senior staff have a clear picture of what the school does well and what needs to be improved. Pupils behave well and are friendly and polite to each other and to adults". The leadership and management is also good, with the school's leaders described as "very caring and foster an ethos in which pupils achieve well".

Mrs Grimshaw said: "I am thrilled that the inspectors have recognised the hard work and commitment of the fantastic team at Audley Infants. This makes an excellent retirement present for me and I feel a real sense of achievement after 36 years in the teaching profession."

Coun Chris Thayne who is, the executive member of children's services for Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "I am delighted to hear the praise from Ofsted. Well done to everyone at Audley infants for getting such a good report.

"A good start is the key to future success and Audley infants is obviously a good place to start."