A primary school in Ellesmere Port has received top praise from Ofsted inspectors.

Childer Thornton Primary School in New School Lane has been handed the top grade of 'Outstanding' in all areas, following an inspection carried out earlier this year at its premises.

The news means the school has held on to its Outstanding grade it previously attained in a 2017 inspection, prior to its conversion to academy status the following year.

An inspection in 2022 reported the school was potentially at risk of being downgraded, but any concerns were evidently put to rest when Ofsted revisited for a full inspection on February 28-29 this year.

Inspectors noted: "Childer Thornton Primary school is a place where pupils thrive. There is a strong sense of community where pupils, including children in the early years, feel happy, valued and safe.

"Pupils are acutely aware of how they can make a difference to the lives of others, for example by raising money for homeless charities.

"The school has extremely high expectations of pupils’ achievement, including those pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Pupils achieve exceptionally well. They spoke about their learning with great enthusiasm.

"Pupils are incredibly confident and articulate. They particularly enjoy meeting visitors to the school, such as authors and parents and carers who speak to pupils about their jobs."

Highlighting what the school does well, inspectors added: "Children in the early years benefit from meaningful and regular opportunities to read with older pupils who have been trained in the school’s phonics approach. Older pupils delight in the progress made by their younger schoolmates.

"Pupils read with fervour, for example they like using the Enchanted Forest Library to explore nonfiction books. Pupils spoke excitedly about the books that they read, and they relish making recommendations for others.

"Teachers have exceptionally strong subject knowledge. They use this to deliver the curriculum with flair and expertise.

"The school is an oasis of calm. Clear and consistent routines contribute to the orderly atmosphere in the school. Pupils demonstrate extremely positive attitudes to learning. Low-level disruption is very rare.

" Pupils are incredibly well prepared for life in modern Britain. They learn deeply about the differences between people. Pupils develop a sophisticated understanding of concepts such as diversity and democracy."

Childer Thornton Primary has 244 pupils on the school roll, with the headteacher being Hannah Yarranton. It is part of the Concordia Multi Academy Trust, which also oversees Ellesmere Port schools Parklands Community Primary and Nursery, Wolverham Primary and Nursery and William Stockton Community Primary.