Delighted teachers and pupils at an Egremont school are celebrating after inspectors found it is "outstanding".

St Bridget's Catholic Primary School recently underwent a Section 48 inspection, an examination carried out in religious schools.

In a report, inspectors said: "St Bridget’s is a welcoming, friendly and inclusive community with a strong family ethos where everyone is valued and where pupils and staff flourish.

"Relationships between pupils, teachers and support staff are excellent and effective; they contribute to pupils’ obvious eagerness to learn.

"All governors and school leaders are fully committed to fulfilling their role in ensuring outstanding provision for the Catholic Life of the school."

It added: "St Bridget’s is an outstanding Catholic school, where rigorous and accurate self-evaluation leads to continuous improvement. Excellent leadership at all levels ensures a shared, ambitious vision which fosters the highest of expectations for all members of the school community.

"The school is very welcoming and inclusive; pupils enjoy coming to school and they have positive attitudes to learning."

Headteacher Suzanne Smith welcomed the report's findings.

She said: "We are thrilled and delighted. It recognises the many ways in which we, as a Catholic school, educate, care for and nurture the pupils within it.

"All governors and staff work tirelessly to ensure our children are educated in this environment whilst maintaining the highest of standards in all we do. The children who come to our school are exceptional and are an absolute joy to teach.

"Our report recognises how: 'They confidently share their knowledge and enthusiasm in lessons and take obvious pride in the work they produce in their books.'

"The recognition we received from parents in the questionnaire feedback was overwhelming."

Staff stated the headteacher was "an inspirational leader who wanted the best for everyone in school".

The report said: "Parents have a high opinion of the school and are regularly encouraged to participate in school life, for example through masses, RE workshops and social activities.

"One parent stated that ‘the Catholic faith runs through everything they do as a school, the pupils are treated as individuals and nurtured and loved’. "Another parent stated ‘it is clear that the school’s Catholic values influence all aspects of school life, they are developing well-grounded, independent members of our local community’."

Mrs Smith added: "Only 39 percent of our children are Catholic and this report is testament to the fact that all pupils thrive and excel in our school, regardless of their religion or faith background.

"The inspectors praised their behaviour, their respect, their attitudes to learning and how they fight for justice for others. We couldn’t be more proud of them!"