A RECENTLY appointed Widnes head teacher has been praised for achieving success at Ditton Primary School.

Andrew Buckley was commended by Ofsted inspectors as the driving force behind improving standards from satisfactory to good.

Ofsted Inspector Diane Auton said: “The head teacher has reinvigorated the school. He has set a clear agenda for ongoing improvement with a razor-sharp focus on improving the quality of teaching and raising pupils’ achievement.

“There is consistently good teaching across the school. Pupils behave well and are proud of their school.

“Standards in reading are rising quickly.

“Pupils are making good progress because teachers have closed gaps in their learning successfullY and the expectations of pupils’ progress has risen.”

“The head teacher is driving the school forward at a rapid pace.”

The school in Liverpool Road is much larger than most other primary schools with 359 pupils aged four to 11. It was inspected for two days last month.

Head teacher Andrew Buckley said he was delighted with the report.

He said: “I am particularly pleased that everybody who has an input into the children’s education, staff and families, and all who are connected to the school were mentioned for their hard work and excellent contributions.”

Val Cordy, chairman of governors, said:”Governors had a clear vision of the style of leadership we felt was needed to raise standards of learning and teaching.

“I am keen to see all staff congratulated for their hard work and skills, led by a very effective leadership team directed by the head teacher.

“I also want to thank parents for their continued support. They can be confident that their children are happy and well looked after as well as being well educated.

“The school and families working together for our children is the best recipe for success.”