TWO into one really does go! Ask the staff, pupils and parents at Bury's increasingly successful Woodbank Primary School.

Although it was a difficult period, Ofsted inspectors have been impressed at the way in which the school has managed to absorb 100 extra pupils from the former Brandlesholme Primary School and continue to do so well.

The Registered Inspector, Mr Les Garner, opening his report, said: "This is a good school with a number of very good features. The headteacher, staff and governors have shown a commitment to maintaining high standards despite the many changes and difficulties of the last year.

"The school is very well led, teaching is good and pupils are learning well. The school gives good value for money."

Commenting on the upheavals which have occurred recently, Mr Garner added: "The school has successfully come through a period of considerable difficulties.

"Firstly, the closure of a neighbouring school meant that a considerable number of its pupils and teachers were brought into the school community. Secondly, extensive building work to extend the school has meant that children have been taught in less than ideal conditions. "Thirdly, the absence through illness of a senior teacher has meant that the newly-appointed deputy headteacher has not yet been able to fully take on his management role."

It was in 1996 that the school was last inspected and the Ofsted team were delighted to discover that since then not only has every key issue identified been addressed, but also many more.

Mr Garner continued: "Good progress has also been made in areas which were not identified as key issues. A nursery has been established which gives pre-school children a good start to their education.

"The quality of teaching seen is better than it was. Curricular planning is more focused. High standards of leadership and management have been maintained."

In fact, the high standard of teachin, 98 per cent was said to be satisfactory, came in for special praise.

Mr Garner, said: "The quality of teaching throughout the school is good overall and this is one of the main reasons why pupils achieve high results in many areas."

It was found that 81 per cent had teaching which was good or better and 24 per cent of lessons had very good teaching.

Mr Garner said: "A consistent theme in the good or better lessons was the good, and often very good, class management. The good relationships established between teachers and pupils also helped."

However, the report did state that standards in some foundation subjects such as history and geography could be improved and that pupils' investigation skills, particularly in science, should be improved.

It also found the quality of the reference library was not sufficient to allow individuals, groups and classes to become independent learners.

On the academic front, youngsters at Woodbank have produced excellent results.

The inspection team found that 11-year-olds at the end of Key Stage 2 were "well above" the national average in English, "above average" in mathematics and "in line with the national average" as far as science was concerned.

"Seven-year-olds have similarly achieved highly.

The Ofsted inspectors, added: "Pupils enter school with levels of attainment generally in line with those expected for children of their age.

"Therefore, generally throughout the school pupils are learning well and achieving standards better than those achieved by pupils nationally."

Children at Woodbank were said to "like their school life" and relationships within the school were described as "very good" with teachers having "high expectations" of their pupils.

Parents also have a "high opinion" of the school and were pleased with the good results and high standards which are being maintained.

On how the school is run, Mr Garner stated: "Overall the leadership and management of the school is very good.

"The way the school has been brought through the last year of disruption pays tribute to the very high quality of leadership, particularly by the headteacher.

He said that headteacher, Mr John Wood, is at the heart of the school, establishing and maintaining its caring atmosphere and aim for high achievement.

Chairman of the Governors at Woodbank Primary School, Councillor John Smith, said: "We are delighted with the inspection report, which reflects the excellent work of the whole school community and our determination to maintain and develop the many qualities and high standards of Woodbank Primary School.

"It is particularly pleasing that the Inspection team has recognised the exceptional endeavours involved on the part of everyone to achieve the successful integration of Brandlesholme Primary School with Woodbank.