A SCHOOL given a glowing report by inspectors is hoping the praise will help it attract more pupils next year.

Cedars Infant School in Hawthorne Street, Blackburn, has suffered from falling attendances during the last year as a result of a declining population in the Bastwell area of Blackburn.

Head teacher Liz Beaumont hopes the report, which praises the quality of education at the school , will help to draw more pupils next year.

She said: "Our falling numbers are nothing to do with the quality of education we provide at the school. It is largely because we are in the centre of an area which has seen many houses demolished.

"We are delighted with the inspectors' report. It is really good news for us."

Mrs Beaumont was singled out by the inspectors who praised her "unwavering and inspiring leadership."

A special mention was also given to the school's success in teaching English to the large number of pupils for which it is not their first language.

The report concluded: "The quality of education provided is good.

"All the staff work hard as a team and show strong commitment to the aims of the school.

"The quality of the teaching is good in three-quarters of the lessons with no major shortcomings. "

The report has been welcomed by chairman of governors Frank Higham who said: "We are all pleased that the inspectors have recognised our achievements in so many different aspects of school life."

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