A SCHOOL in an area hit by the twin blows of foot-and-mouth and major job losses has been given a glowing report by Government inspectors.

Wolsingham School and Community College in Weardale, is a successful school, said an Ofsted team who visited last month.

Some teaching is excellent and is generally good, while the school is well led and managed. The sixth form was singled out for praise and was said to be a strength of the school.

Chief inspector John Ashton wrote: "Pupils in the main school and students in the sixth form achieve well.

"The A* and A grades in the 2002 GCSE results were above average, illustrating well the good provision for higher attaining pupils.

"Leadership and management are good. Pupils' attitudes, behaviour and relationships with each other, and with the staff, are good."

Geography teaching and learning was singled out for special praise, while links with the community and provision for pupils' social and moral development were said to be 'very good.' Education plans for pupils with special education needs were 'not as clear and helpful as they could be' and indoor provision for PE was also unsatisfactory.

Headteacher Mitch O'Reilly said: "The inspectors have highlighted our many strengths and we are particularly pleased with their overwhelming support for our sixth form.

"Foot-and-mouth and recent job losses have made recent years a difficult time for staff and pupils but it is a tribute to their hard work and enthusiasm that they have helped us achieve this excellent report."