A PRIMARY school has been praised by the leader of St Helens Council after transforming its standards for pupils.

Holy Spirit Catholic Primary School, on Brunswick Street, Parr had been rated inadequate in an inspection in 2013.

However, under the leadership of head teacher Michelle Ravey the school has continued to improve under a schedule of regular inspections and has reached a good rating, with many areas now outstanding.

From the sensory rooms and twinkly lit safe spots for pupils to find peace, the school impressed Ofsted inspectors with its attention to detail in creating a haven for learning and nurturing the children’s development.

The inspectors said: “Pupils have a love of learning and a love of life itself. The school’s mission is lived out to the full. The first-rate support and good-quality teaching that pupils receive are raising aspirations and enabling pupils to, as the school’s motto says, ‘soar to new heights’.”

St Helens Council leader Councillor David Baines, himself a former teacher, paid a visit to the school to speak with staff and children and celebrate their success. He also met with members of the school council who talked about their recent visit to the Houses of Parliament.

Councillor Baines said: “Holy Spirit really has the best interests of its pupils at heart. When you visit you can’t help but appreciate the tremendous efforts by Michelle and all the staff and governors, supported by parents, to make the school a place where children feel safe and happy, and where every pupil is given the opportunity and support to fulfil their potential.

“The team at Holy Spirit really believe in their pupils and the positive attitude of the school is infectious.

“The recent Ofsted inspection just shows the brilliant progress the school is making and what a good job they’re doing for all their pupils.”

Head teacher Michelle Ravey added: “It was a pleasure and a privilege to welcome the Council Leader Councillor David Baines to Holy Spirit. He took a real interest in the children and the journey of the school.

"I have been here five years and the school has been on a long and difficult journey to achieve it's good Ofsted grading with outstanding for personal development, wellbeing and behaviour, leadership and management and early years.

“The staff here are so talented and work tirelessly to provide the very best education for the children of Parr, they always go the extra mile. The children themselves are incredible and we always believed that they had the potential to achieve the very best: academically, spiritually and socially.

“After love, the next best thing we can instil in our children is self–confidence and self-belief.

"The effects of having a positive self-image together with high levels of self-esteem can never be underestimated; it is a great determiner of success in life. It is my aim to ensure that all the children at Holy Spirit believe in themselves and know they can be whatever they want to be.”