A WIDNES school in special measures is on the road to recovery, say Ofsted inspectors.

West Bank Primary School has been commended for its improvements after its third monitoring inspection.

Ofsted inspector John Nixon said: “The school is making reasonable progress towards the removal of special measures. The quality of teaching is improving.

“Leadership and management have been strengthened by the work of the Interim Executive Board (IEB).

“The new associate head teacher has been quick to gain the respect and confidence of her staff resulting in increasing staff moral and better teaching.”

Associate head teacher Karen Highcock said: “Staff have been absolutely wonderful. They really put in a lot of hard work and this has been reflected by the comments from Ofsted.

“Parents fully support everything that we have done. Staff, parents and pupils are all working together.”

Dr Harry Ziman, chairman of the IEB, said: “People have pride in this school. We want to restore it in the community.”