TEACHERS were celebrating at a Blackburn school after Ofsted inspectors decided they were no longer a failing school.

Intack Primary School, Whitebirk Road, is no longer in the special measures category, imposed after a critical Ofsted report in October 1996.

Headteacher Brian Peacock said: "The school has come a very long way in a relatively short time and I am proud of all our staff, every one of whom has given so much to the school.

"Their dedication, loyalty and tremendous hard work have been the motivating force behind this improvement."

The new report said teaching was sound in 90 per cent of lessons, pupils' attitudes were good and their progress had accelerated in the last two years. Mathematics scores in National Curriculum tests were average but English results were below average and science standards were unsatisfactory.

Inspectors praised governors who got involved with the school and helped out in the day-to-day routine as voluntary workers.

Chair of governors Sylvia White said she was delighted all the hard work had been recognised.

She said: "I was particularly pleased to read the positive comments about the governors role in school management, as this was heavily criticised in 1996."

Inspectors said the school should work to raise standards further, especially in science, by continuing to improve the quality of teaching.

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