A RUNCORN school now faces a positive future after recovering from special measures.

Government Ofsted inspector Jane Millward praised pupils at St Augustine’s RC Primary School in Castlefields for working hard to achieve success.

She said: “Pupils are beginning to make better progress and standards are beginning to rise. This is because pupils enjoy their learning and work hard in lessons.

“The behaviour of pupils continues to improve.

“There is a longer term vision for the school which is shared by all staff.”

The school was placed in special measures in February 2012 after the quality of its teaching, leadership and pupils’ progress were condemned in an Ofsted inspection.

Interim head teacher Philip Hallman said: “It has been a real privilege to see the transformation they have all made.

“My role will finish at the end of this term. It’s been a tough journey but one that we can clearly see a big difference for pupils.

“Staff have worked so hard for the benefit of every single child.

“There is a new lease of life in the school, a real drive for enabling all the pupils to have better chances in life.

“There is a bright future for them. It is such a lovely community.”