PUPILS at a Rossendale school are top of the class, according to an inspector's report.

Sharneyford Primary School, Bacup, has 88 pupils, with a quarter having special educational needs. The Ofsted inspector said: "Sharneyford is a good school which gives good quality education for its pupils and makes very good provision for those with special educational needs."

By the end of key stage one, pupils attain higher or normal standards in all subjects, apart from design and technology.

At the end of key stage two, all pupils gain standards in line with national averages in English and a high proportion attain above average in reading, writing, speaking and listening.

The inspector noted: "The progress made across the school is influenced by the small size of year groups and the quality of teaching. "The progress of pupils with special educational needs is good and excellent in the case of those who have statements."

The school curriculum is adapted to match the needs of gifted children and the pupils' attitude to learning is very good.

The quality of teaching is satisfactory or better and over half of the lessons observed were good or very good.

In key stage one there are occasions when not enough attention is given to the quality of presentation of work and low standards of writing are accepted.

Headteacher Roger Creegan is praised for being "totally committed to providing a good quality of education for all the pupils in the school and to promoting high standards of attainment".

Chairman of governors Coun Susan Baron said: "This is a tremendous report which recognises the hard-work and determination of everyone involved."

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