A Leigh primary school has been taken off special measures - just 18 months after Government inspectors ordered it to improve.

Ofsted inspectors gave Blenheim Primary School in Blenheim Chase the thumbs up after a return visit.

They had previously put the school under orders to improve after an inspection in April 1998.

Al Smulian, chairman of governors at Blenheim, said improvements had been made in record time.

He said: "This is a rapid turnaround for a school that had been put on a special measures regime by Ofsted. It usually takes two years to put things right.

"The Ofsted inspectors told us they were not happy with the standard of the school's work and they instructed us to meet a series of demanding targets."

Mr Smulian added the rapid turnaround had been achieved by the hard work and dedication of school staff, led by headteacher Marianne Turner.

He said: "They've done a splendid job for the children through their dedicated hard work."

Blenheim Primary School has undergone an almost complete change of teaching staff in the past year, with a number of newly qualified teachers taken on board.

The Ofsted report said Blenheim had improved in all areas that were previously weak. Inspectors praised the quality of teaching, in particular the progress of recently appointed staff.

It said the behaviour of pupils was much improved, and that pupils were gaining a greater sense of their own progress, developing skills in information technology and reaching expected levels in maths, English, and science.

Inspectors found 11-year-olds gaining the expected level four standards at the school had risen by 25 per cent in English, 26 per cent in maths, and 18 per cent in science. For seven year olds at key stage level one, substantial improvements were noted in writing and maths.

Rosemary Morris, assistant director of education and library services at Southend Council, said: "I am delighted at the school's success in being removed from special measures, and to have done it in 18 months when the normal expectation is two years."

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