ROSEHILL Infants School, Burnley, has been praised by inspectors for being happy, caring and for providing good moral and social education.

Teaching is described as satisfactory, or better, in 92 per cent of lessons, although some pupils achieved below the national average in reading, writing and arithmetic.

Improvements were said to be needed in assessment, provision for pupils with special educational needs and parental partnerships.

Level two results were not significantly different from the national average in reading, writing, spelling and handwriting, but were below average in mathematics.

In 1996, the number of pupils attaining level three in reading, writing and arithmetic was well below the national average.

Inspectors said: "This apparent drop in standards can largely be attributed to long-term staff absence, which caused the pupils to have a particularly disjointed year." In mathematics, pupils' progress was satisfactory but more able pupils were not being sufficiently challenged.

Inspectors found teachers showed a good knowledge and understanding of most subjects , but sometimes the work was undemanding.

The curriculum was broad, balanced and relevant, but too little time was spent on music and too much on physical education.

Key issues for action included: maintaining the caring ethos; raising the attainment of more able pupils; improving resources for information technology and music; developing the use of assessment of pupils' attainment.

Headteacher Mary Mather said: "We are delighted that the inspectors found so much to praise in our school.

"We have long wished to improve our computing facilities but it is difficult in the current financial climate to do as much as we would wish.

"We would be delighted to hear from any local companies that might be able to assist us to become better equipped."

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