A BOLTON primary school has been singled out for glowing praise by a man widely regarded as the scourge of the English education system. St Thomas of Canterbury Roman Catholic Primary School is one of just a few of schools in England praised for its examination performance, providing a good quality of education and delivering high standards. In his annual report on Quality and Standards in England's Schools 1996/97, the Government's chief inspector of schools Chris Woodead cites the Heaton primary school as giving pupils an excellent start to their education.

But headteacher Peter Dempsey says he is anxious to point out the achievement is due to the efforts of many - staff, pupils, parents, governors and support staff.

In the latest OFSTED report, inspectors said: "The school's relationship with its parent community is, in many ways, exemplary.

"The way that the school encourages parents to be full partners in the education of pupils makes a very strong contribution to their academic achievement."

Far from languishing in the praise, Mr Dempsey is hoping the school will build on its strong foundations and be given the opportunity to create a centre of excellence for early years education.

Yet Mr Dempsey, head for eight years, is the first to admit the OFTED inspection carried out in March last year highlighted what he was already aware of.

Standards of teaching, the caring supportive environment , class control and the "excellent" moral development of pupils were praised by the Ofsted team.

The Roman Catholic primary takes pupils from as far afield as Johnson Fold and has a mixed and varied intake. Mr Dempsey believes that is one of its major strengths.

"We're obviously delighted by the recognition we are receiving today and it's a validation of how we do things and what we do here, not to mention a recognition of what we, as a community, are seeking to achieve for our children."

"Although the report highlights the emphasis we place on the whole person, schooling is not only about learning and examinations.

"I believe there's still a great deal more which can be achieved."

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