INSPECTORS say a Leigh school described as failing earlier this year is making progress.

An Ofsted monitoring inspection at Leigh North Street Junior School praised the new executive headteacher Pauline Lucas.

In a letter to Mrs Lucas, inspectors said: “Since your appointment you have gained the confidence of parents, staff and pupils. Your expectations of staff are high and you are evaluating the quality of teaching effectively.”

The school cannot hire any newly-qualified teachers until it has been visited by Ofsted again.

The letter was written in July, but has only just been made public.