A primary school in the Werneth area of Oldham which has had a rocky history though was graded 'good' in its last inspection has converted into an academy.

St Thomas CofE Primary School on St Thomas Street has taught pupils between the ages of four to 11 for more than two decades.

The primary has had a rocky Ofsted history, with previous grades ranging from 'satisfactory' from 2007 until its 'good' rating in 2013, and then back down to 'requires improvement' in 2017.

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However, its most recent graded inspection in 2020 saw the school graded as 'good' overall with some notable 'outstanding' areas in three major categories - behaviour and attitudes, personal development and leadership and management.

Inspectors Judith Straw, Amanda Dodd and Christine Howard praised the primary, writing the school is "safe" and "happy" while pupils behave well and are "respectful, polite and friendly".

The Ofsted team further revealed leaders and staff at the school are "ambitious for everyone" and have a "well-planned curriculum".

The report revealed teachers "inspire" pupils and the school had made significant progress in areas such as English speaking, reading, writing and mathematics which put the Year 6 class in the top 20 per cent of all schools in 2019.

However, despite making significant progress, a letter from Ofsted reveals the school applied to convert into an academy towards the end of last year.

This means St Thomas CofE Primary School has technically 'closed' and a new one has opened in its place under a new legal entity, "although little may have changed", the Ofsted letter reads.

Still, the inspection history of the school that preceded the new academy will remain available via Ofsted for the next three to five years - and a fresh inspection may be scheduled by the education watchdog.

St Thomas CofE Primary School has been approached for comment.

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