STAFF and pupils at a school in Radcliffe are celebrating after Ofsted inspectors gave them the highest praise they could.

Millwood Primary Special School, in School Street, continues to be outstanding from teaching and learning, to personal development, behaviour and welfare of the pupils.

A previous inspection in February 2013 also rating the school outstanding in all areas.

The most recent report after the inspection on July 19 read: “The leadership team has maintained the outstanding quality of education in the school since the last inspection.

“Leaders have exceptionally high standards and expect the best from staff and pupil. The school has an excellent reputation and is very popular.

“A recent increase on the school roll and in the complexity of pupils’ needs has not has been embraced by leaders with impressive vigour.”

The report also concluded that safeguarding continues to be effective and that staff have ensured that all safeguarding arrangements are fit for purpose and that regular training is provided.

Inspectors also praised the way in which the curriculum was taught.

It stated: “Leaders have developed a highly organised curriculum which ensures that pupils have variety and diversity in their learning and meets the different needs of pupils very well.

“Pupils make excellent progress in reading, writing and mathematics and teachers diligently check pupils’ progress each month to ensure that pupils are on track with their learning.”

The report concluded by offering steps that the school should take to ensure that it remained outstanding.

It said: “Governance should ensure that they review their current systems for supporting and challenging the work of teaching assistants in order to further improve the quality of support for pupils.”

Headteacher at Millwood, Helen Chadwick, said: "This is Millwood's third Outstanding OFSTED in the ten years that I have been headteacher. We are all – pupils, governors, staff and parents – delighted with the outcome even though the date of the inspection took us back a little being just three days before the end of the summer term!

"It is good to know that OFSTED recognise the quality of the 'exceptional provision' at Millwood and the focus we have on the individual child. "The work we do with other schools was also seen as a positive and we aim to extend this support through the Millwood Project.

"We hope to share what we believe to be really good practice to help all children with SEND in to achieve their full potential. We are also keen to work with all agencies to improve the offer to local families in Bury through Bury's response to its recent SEND inspection.

"I am particularly pleased that inspectors saw the creativity which goes into every session and that OFSTED see our potential for the future."