A PRIMARY has turned around its fortunes to become one of Bolton’s “good” schools.

Staff and pupils at Gaskell Primary School finished the academic year on a high after inspectors judged it to be “good with outstanding features”.

Ofsted’s report marks another major turning point for the school, and headteacher Emily Kirk said it was a result of “tireless” work by the school and parents.

In a short period of time, the school, in Gaskell Street, Bolton, has gone from a four rating, indicating it was “inadequate”, to a two, reflecting it is now a good school.

Inspectors reported: “There have been significant improvements in the quality of teaching; it is now good overall and a outstanding in key stage two.

“Staff have successfully created a positive and caring climate for learning where each pupil feels valued as an individual.”

All areas were marked as a good, with inspectors noting that pupils are “well motivated, polite and respectful”.

Teachers were found to have “high expectations” of their students, who were said to “flourish” in school.

Miss Kirk was praised for providing “clear and effective leadership”.

Inspectors added: “With calm authority and warmth she has successfully created a climate where expectations of all pupils are high.

“Together with senior leaders, she has improved staff morale and motivated teachers and other staff to improve the quality of teaching, this, in turn has accelerated progress and raised standards of attainment significantly.”

In 2011, the school went through a troubled period, with some of the lowest SATs results in the borough. Its headteacher and business manager were suspended. Both have since resigned and a new leadership team appointed.

Its position in Bolton’s primary school league tables has soared and is now in the top half of the performance tables for high results in the SATs exams.

Miss Kirk said: “The whole Gaskell family is delighted and extremely proud with the outcome of our recent Ofsted inspection, “The children, staff, parents and governors have worked tirelessly over the past 18 months to turn our school around.

“Our children now leave us as confident, happy and successful young people. As a school we are now very much looking forward to a positive and exciting future.”