Inspectors have noted improvements at Bury and Whitefield Primary in Manchester three years after delivering a critical report.

Ofsted, whcih carried out a remote inspection in March a few days after most pupils had returned following lockdown, found the school had been providing “effective” education during the pandemic.

In 2018, Bury and Whitefield received the second lowest inspection grade as a school that “requires improvement”.

But Ofsted told headteacher Claire Simon that she had improved the curriculm before the pandemic as well as checks she and staff made on pupils’ learning.

Pupils benefited from daily phonics lessons and staff support helped children develop their fluency and love of reading, the inspectorate sasid.

At the start of the third lockdown in January, the headteacher had ensured that the usual curriculum continued, including for pupils learning remotely. Pupils made a “smooth transition” when the school fully opened in March.

A high priority was placed on academic and wellbeing support for vulnerable pupils, Ofsted said.

Simon Taylor, co-chairman of the school’s governors, said he was “delighted with the superb report we reviewed following our recent Ofsted visit” and thanked Mrs Simon and her deputy, Mel Kobak.

“It is a testament to the hard work involving all our of staff over the past few months , in particular , during the lockdown periods,” he said. “We have an amazing school, with the most dedicated of staff.”