PUPILS and staff at Wark Church of England First School are celebrating ‘outstanding’ results in a recent inspection.

The National Society Statutory Inspection of Anglican Schools (SIAS) Report showed the school to be good or outstanding in all areas.

SIAS inspections focus on the effect that the Christian ethos of the church school has on the pupils.

The main purpose is to assess the distinctiveness and effectiveness of the school as a church school.

After the inspection on January 21, inspector Mary Cook wrote in her report: “Wark C of E’s strong commitment to Christian values is clearly seen in the life of the school.

“There are some excellent relationships within the school which contribute to the ethos.”

The school was praised for its links with the wider community and working together with other Church of England schools.

The report continued: “Parents are very supportive of the school and positive about the impact of a distinctive Christian ethos.

“The teaching of RE deepens the pupils’ awareness of other religions and cultures and makes a positive contribution to the overall ethos of the school.”

According to the report, the school has made improvements based on comments from the last inspection.

The effectiveness of religious education in the school has been rated outstanding.

Particular praise has been given to the school’s part-time RE teacher, Mrs Robins.

The report read: “The part-time RE teacher has invested considerable time and effort into the implementation of the new RE Diocesan syllabus drawing on her creative talent and providing memorable lessons.

“The children exude enthusiasm for the subject. There is an inspirational RE subject leader delivering the subject in thought-provoking ways which fully engages the children in their learning and development.”

Headteacher Amanda Lewis, who is also head at Greenhaugh First School, said: “We were really pleased with the result which is a good reflection of the school’s values and the way we teach RE.

“Our children and staff live that way, it was not just put on for the inspection.

“The result is important because we are a church school with Christian values and we try to live those values every day.

“It has been nice to get recognition for our hard work. We have had some changes in the school and our RE teacher Mrs Robins has a very creative talent; it’s lovely for her work to be recognised.”

Areas deemed as good were the impact of collective community in the school and the effectiveness of leadership and management of the school as a church school.

To improve, the report said that the school could ensure that the significance of the school’s Anglican foundation and community engagement is fully understood and to consider the ways to maintain and further improve the distinctive Christian ethos.