THE headteacher of a Royton school described as "good" in the latest Ofsted report has attributed the success to reading, which she says is at the heart of the curriculum.

Inspectors described St Paul’s CofE Primary School as a place where “all the children are happy, learning with their friends in a stimulating environment and through a well-planned curriculum”.

The two-day inspection last month was the first Inspection in Oldham under the new framework which started in September. It was the first of all Manchester Diocesan schools to be inspected.

It was a rigorous process which also involved an additional HMI who was quality assuring the whole process.

The school has nursery accommodates 229 pupils. The nursery offers 30 hours and facilitates 12 pupils with speech, communication and autism difficulties.

Headteacher Hilary Henderson joined the school in January, 2017. The school was inspected in March, 2017 where it was found to be "requiring improvement" but the inspectors recognised there was great capacity to put improvements into place to move the school forward.

Mrs Henderson said: “Reading is at the heart of the curriculum. I am so very proud of all of our community, governors, staff, parents and children who have worked consistently hard to support the school with its endeavours to become a 'good' rated school.

“It is wonderful we have been recognised as being caring and kind and that the ‘school community works together to ensure that pupils succeed in their education’.”

The report begins by saying: “Pupils are happy and secure and enjoy coming to school.”

It recognises “teachers and pupils have great respect for each other.”

The pupils “look forward to their lessons and appreciate the many opportunities to learn after school in the areas of sport, music and art.”

The pupils say “they do not worry about bullying because staff sort issues out straight away”.

The report states “the school provides pupils with a good quality of education and that pupils’ personal development is a strength of the school.”

It continues to recognise that “leaders’ plans for the curriculum are clear in what the pupils need to know and remember”.

The inspectors found the school “puts reading at the centre of the curriculum and ensure that all pupils succeed in learning their phonics,” which then enables pupils “to become fluent readers”.

The report also identifies “mathematics is a strength of the school” and that “leaders provide pupils with activities to support them in developing as confident, resilient and independent individuals”.

The leadership of the school, including governors, “support and motivate the staff and provide effective support with mental health.”

The report goes on: “Leaders and staff give safeguarding a high priority and pupils benefit from lessons on how to keep themselves healthy and safe.

“Parents and carers are welcome to visit the school”.

Mrs Henderson added: “I’m proud of the whole community who work together to ensure pupils succeed in their education.”

Janet Wright, chair of governors, said: "The governors are very proud of how hard Mrs Henderson and the staff have improved all areas of the school since the last inspection."