HAMBLETT School has been given the thumbs-up by Government inspectors.

Ofsted inspectors, who visited the Rainford Road school, found it to be "highly effective" with "a large number of significant strengths."

The inspectors judged that the leadership and management of the school were excellent and that a significant number of pupils achieved success in external examinations, including GCSE, at the highest levels.

The inspectors were very impressed by the standards achieved by the school in literacy, numeracy and information and communication technology.

The inspection team also highlighted many other areas of strength, including the quality of teaching and learning, the curriculum across all age ranges and the support for independence provided by the special support assistants. Planning for individual needs was described in the report as "exemplary."

Head teacher Bob Bromilow said: "All at the school are pleased that the inspection team recognised that Hamblett is a centre of excellence in making provision for children with special educational needs.

"Hamblett is a very special school with a dedicated, skilful and hard-working staff -- the inspectors obviously recognised this very quickly."