A PRIMARY school is making gradual progress after it was told it required improvement.

Ofsted visited Radcliffe Primary School, in Coronation Road, to monitor their progress after the school was given a Requires Improvement rating in December 2016.

Inspector Tim Vaughan said staff were taking effective action to tackle the areas of concern raised at the last visit.

He said in his letter to acting headteacher Nicola Nelson: "Radcliffe Primary School continues to improve. Staff and leaders are steadily addressing issues.

"They are determined to work together to raise the quality of education for pupils. Improvements, which started after inspectors judged the predecessor school to be inadequate, have started to accelerate during this past year.

"Actions are beginning to make a positive difference to the quality of management, teaching and pupils’ outcomes.

"Even so, you still have much to do."

Since the inspection 12 months ago, there have been several staff changes, with six leaving and three taking up post.

Several existing teachers have moved year groups, two new governors have joined, and the headteacher is currently absent from school.

The school, which is part of Bury College Education Trust, has been asked to sharpen leaders' plans for improvements and review the quality of teaching in reading and phonics in Key Stage 1.

Attainment levels and pupil progress were also areas listed as requiring improvement.

However, praise was given for the development of a new school curriculum, for providing interesting activities for children and for successful learning in mathematics.

Mr Vaughan also said the culture of the school is becoming 'much more positive and helpful' to the pupils.