A PRIMARY school has been praised in an inspection for being a place where pupils “enjoy studying the world around them” and “everyone is respected for who they are”.

Westleigh Methodist Primary School in Leigh, which is part of the Acorn Trust, was visited by education watchdog Ofsted at the end of October.

And the regulator found that the Westleigh Lane school has maintained its overall rating of "good".

It was reviewed under new framework, which educationalists say is “raising the bar” in terms of the standards that inspectors are looking for.

Head teacher of the Westleigh Lane school Xanthe Moragrega said: “There can be no denying that the inspection was tough.

"They looked at some key areas in real depth – which is why I am so delighted that we secured a 'good' grading overall.

“What I take most pride in, however, is that they didn’t just recognise our pupils’ academic achievements.

"At every level our children shone.

"They really showed how passionate they are about helping themselves and others.

“The shortest sentence in the report is a line that simply says: 'Pupils are good citizens'.

"While there is much to celebrate, that is the line that I think sums us up the best – our pupils are a bright, respectful and caring bunch who really are the jewel in the crown of our community.”

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Inspectors also state that children “benefit from a stimulating environment and an engaging curriculum”.

They saw that “pupils respect Christian values and volunteer their services to a range of local and national charities” and that leaders have “rejuvenated pupils’ love of books.”

CEO of the Acorn Trust Julie-ann Hewitt said: “I get quite emotional when I look back over the year that this school has had.

"National awards, letters of congratulations from Government ministers, fantastic opportunities…and our school mascot has even been put into space.

“What is really pleasing is not just what has been achieved, but how it has been achieved.

“It would be easy to think that this success can only come through being relentless.

"That is not sustainable.

"Ofsted saw that we have strong foundations based on the strength and power of our community. "Ofsted rightly noted that we care about “getting the right work-life balance for staff”, and that teachers have “ample time to learn from each other, teachers in the partner school and subject specialists in the local cluster of schools”.

“You can achieve a lot as individual, but so much more as a team.

"If we can create an environment where every member of our community feels valued and supported, then that is a fantastic platform for our pupils to continue to aspire, believe and achieve.”