THE sum of teachers' efforts have spelt success for Unsworth Primary in its latest Ofsted report.

Since a previous visit, the school has shown a marked improvement in the quality of its teaching, the report said.

The last inspection in 1997 revealed that in a number of lessons, teaching had not been satisfactory.

That is no longer the case, according to Ofsted, with examples of "very good" or "outstanding" teaching at all stages of pupils' development.

High standards had been achieved in core subjects such as maths and science, and in English, for first time, the school was among the top five per cent in the country last year. In science and non-core subjects like art, design, history and music, the number of pupils achieving high standards was above average.

Although numbers of children achieving high standards in reading were below those of other schools, in writing and maths, they compared well. Overall results for all three skills were higher than the norm.

Singled out for particular praise was the way in which the school's provision for children with speech and communication needs had been improved.

This had enabled teachers to provide a wider curriculum for that section of pupils.

The report said: "This is a very effective school that provides a high quality of education for all its pupils, including those with speech and communication difficulties, who are fully integrated into the life of the school."

In addition, teachers were also providing better moral, spiritual, and social guidance and pupils' behaviour was commended.

The report said: "The feeling in the school is of a cohesive and coherent educational establishment where all the constituent groups, pupils, parents, governors and staff, work together with joint understanding and agreement to meet the school's aims and to promote the pupils' learning."

Chairman of governors Mr Sam Cohen said: "We are delighted with the outcome of the inspection, which praises all aspects of the school and proves that Unsworth Primary is an excellent seat of learning.

"Thanks are due to the headteacher and all her staff for their hard work and dedication, and also to our pupils for the excellent way they conduct themselves."

Headteacher Mrs Christine Reynolds said: "We are very pleased with the findings of the inspection.

"It reflects the successful partnership that has been built between the staff and governors and the pupils and parents of Unsworth Primary School.

"We are all very proud of our pupils."