A primary school where “pupils feel a strong sense of belonging” has been rated good in all areas following an Ofsted inspection earlier this year.

St Silas CofE Primary School, in St Silas Road, Blackburn, was visited by inspectors in April who noted pupils enjoyed learning at the school and they felt safe.

The 333 pupils at the school, which became an academy in 2018, are said to be keen to meet the high expectations of the teachers and they benefit from a wide range of activities and visits.

The report said: “Pupils feel a strong sense of belonging at St Silas’s CofE Primary School.

"They know that all members of the school community care greatly about them. This helps pupils to feel safe. They told inspectors that seeing their teachers makes them happy.

“They fully understand staff’s high expectations for their achievement and their behaviour. Pupils are keen to meet these expectations.

“Overall, pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), and children in the early years, achieve well.

“Pupils were excited to explain how their trips to the theatre, places of worship, and museums, enhance their learning.”

It was also noted teachers have the subject knowledge they need to deliver the curriculum well, and typically select appropriate activities to help pupils acquire new information and subject content.

However, it was noted that sometimes teachers do not give pupils the time they need to practise new learning, occasionally hindering them from embedding their learning long-term.

Children across the school have developed a love of reading as this has been prioritised all over the setting, with teachers reading to their classes daily with carefully chosen books.

Pupils visit the school library every week to choose a new book to share with their parents at home, while older pupils were keen to talk about a reading challenge where they receive an award based on the number of books they read.

Behaviour was also noted to be good across the school, with early years children learning routines from the start and quickly learning to share and take turns.

The effectiveness of safeguarding arrangements is regularly reviewed to ensure staff have up-to-date training and to make sure they get to know pupils and their families well.

While the school was rated good overall, to become outstanding it was told to give pupils more time to practise and apply what they learn to limit gaps in their knowledge and to make sure some pupils attend school more than they currently do.