THE best of the Bolton school community have been given a chance to shine.

Behind classroom doors are thousands of teachers, pupils and staff working hard every day to bring top class education to the community.

And here we honour the achievements of those people and places that make up all that’s good in the borough’s schools at the second Bolton News School Awards.

Primary School of the Year, sponsored by Surveyroof: St Peter’s CE Primary

SIMPLY outstanding – that’s St Peter’s CE Primary School, which is this year’s Primary School of the Year.

The staff at the Farnworth school are described as being relentless in their drive to “innovate and improve” to make sure that all pupils succeed, regardless of their socio-economic background.

The children believe anything is possible and they have the power to determine their own destiny.

And every day when the children enter school they know they are walking down “Progress Avenue.”

The school, an Ofsted rated outstanding school, ensures its pupils “Learn, Sparkle and Shine” through excellent teaching and cultural opportunities to enhance their learning.

The school serves one of the most deprived communities in the borough but the pupils’ backgrounds do not stop them from achieving – with the percentage of disadvantaged children achieving level four exceeding the national average in maths and reading.

St Peter’s CE Primary School also supports other schools and pupils as a National Support School within Bolton and Manchester.

Proud headteacher Lynn Williams said: “We feel highly honoured to have been awarded The Bolton News Primary School of The Year Award.

“This has been a fantastic year for St Peter’s, having been judged to be outstanding by both Ofsted and Manchester Diocese earlier in the year, then going on to become a National Support School designated by NCTL.

“To now be named as Primary School of the Year is the icing on the cake.”

She added: “This has been a real team effort, and the success of the school is due to the hard work and commitment of the staff, governors and parents. 

“Most importantly though it is due to the ‘growth mindset’ of the students. They have a firm belief that success comes to those who work hard for their achievements. 

“We have worked hard to help our children understand that success is the tip of the iceberg; underlying this is hard work, dedication, persistence and sometimes failure. Our children and staff have totally embraced this philosophy and it is starting to pay dividends with our outcomes.

“As children enter the doors of St Peter’s they are asked to take daily steps down Progress Avenue, being better today than they were yesterday, regardless of their starting point!”