STAFF and pupils at a primary school were celebrating Christmas early this year, after being awarded high marks in their latest inspection.

Cedars Primary School, based on St James’ Road in Blackburn, was awarded a ‘good’ rating by inspectors in their latest Ofsted report, which was issued at the start of December,

The school was praised in all areas, including the quality of education given, behaviour and attitudes of staff and pupils, personal development and leadership and management.

In her report on the school, head inspector Mavis Smith said: “Pupils enjoy attending this warm, welcoming and happy school.

“Strong relationships with staff help pupils to learn well.

“Parents and carers told us that the school keeps them well informed about pupils’ progress.

“They said that this helps them to support their children’s learning at home.

“Leaders and staff have high expectations for all pupils.

“They want pupils to work hard and to achieve their very best.

“Pupils behave well in class and show respect for their teachers.

“They listen carefully in lessons and take care not to distract each other from their work.”

Joanne Leak, acting headteacher of the school said everyone was delighted with the report.

She said: “We are extremely proud of our school and all that we have achieved as a collective.

“This includes the pupils, staff, parents, governors and the local authority and the community.

“We continue to be a ‘good’ school and we are very much looking forward to the next chapter at Cedars Primary School.

“The pupils remain at the heart of why we do what we do on a daily basis.

“The inspectors found many strengths in our school. Some particular highlights include the fact pupils enjoy attending this warm, welcoming and happy school, leaders and staff have high expectations for all pupils and pupils behave well in class and show respect for their teachers.”

Of the few points for improvement, inspectors felt that a small number of pupils are taking too many school days to take holidays during term time.

Ms Smith said: “This makes it difficult for them to catch up on work they have missed.

Leaders have recently changed the way in which they work with families to reduce these absences. However, it is too early to see the impact of this work.”