A NURSERY has been lauded by inspectors as a "very good school" where pupils make rapid progress.

Bradley Nursery School in Nelson has 141 pupils aged three and four who attend on a part-time basis.

A team from Ofsted inspected the school, in Bradley Road East, and found eight out of 14 teaching lessons were very good, three were good and three were satisfactory.

They said: "Teachers plan carefully so that, between the two nurseries, there is a wide range of interesting activities for the children.

"As a result of the very good teaching, children work busily because they have so much to interest them. They develop social skills and skills of independence at an excellent rate because these are built into all activities."

There were three key areas for action since the the last inspection in 1997, but all of these have been addressed. The only areas outlined for improvement this time were in long-term curriculum planning and monitoring children's experiences at school.

Acting headteacher Sue Robinson is described as providing very good leadership and inspectors said she knows what the school needs to make it more effective.

Two-thirds of the children who attend are from homes where English is not the principal language and about half are in the early stages of developing skills in English.

Inspectors note: "When account is taken of the very low attainment of children when they start school and the effectiveness of the education provided, the school gives good value for money."

While the inspection was taking place the school adopted the theme of wild animals with the children going on a jungle adventure, sampling exotic fruits and dressing up as their favourite wild animal.

Mrs Robinson said: "We are all very proud of this excellent report. Governors, staff, children and parents all contribute to the success of the school.

"Everyone works extremely hard throughout the year to ensure that the children are given the best possible start to their education."