A SCHOOL which overcame “serious weaknesses” is helping to educate even younger members of the community.

It is a new era for Washacre Primary School, Westhoughton, which has opened a nursery for two year-olds on its site after an investment of £40,000.

The school, which was previously found to be inadequate by Ofsted, was given a good rating when it was inspected at the start of this year.

Washacre, which already educates three-year-olds, says the new facility will help support families and their children to develop skills that will give them a headstart when they move to primary school.

Carl Messenger, member of the Senior Leadership Team, said: “The school is very proud to be able to open our doors to two-year olds. The nursery has been developed with experts in the field of child education and play and parents, to ensure that not only does it meet the needs of the children who attend, but it also enables them to develop new skills through play."

New features include an outdoor kitchen, where children can develop their skills though making everything from mud cakes to mixing potions in pots, a climbing tree, a rolling meadow and a giant covered sand pit that children can use whatever the weather.

Other plans include developing an outdoor reading area, builders yard and a water feature.

Anne Burns, a school governor, added: “The nursery that has been created by Washacre Primary School enables children in Westhoughton area to access outstanding facilities.

"By being on the same site as the Westhoughton Children’s Centre and Washacre Primary School is an excellent resource for the local community.”