A BLACKBURN school has been praised for being "outstandingly caring".

Shadsworth Infant school, Rothesay Road impressed government inspectors when they visited in September.

The Ofsted team concluded the school's "outstanding level of care" helped its 194 pupils "feel safe, secure and valued and made it easier for them to achieve."

Inspectors said teaching was good and pupils "enjoy coming to school as their lessons are interesting."

It added: "Pupils develop the basic skills of literacy and numeracy to a satisfactory level. Most pupils leave the school with good social skills and are well prepared for the next stage of their education."

Headteacher Barbara Booth and her excellent relationship with governors, staff and parents was also mentioned in the report.

"Through the outstanding leadership of the head-teacher, the school has a clear view of what sort of school it wants to be. The headteacher is pivotal in the success of the school."

Areas Ofsted say the school could do better include raising boys' achievement in reading."

But Mrs Booth was delighted at the overall findings which she said were a "compliment to everyone who works so hard."