THE motto ‘Shoot for the moon and you will land among the stars’ captures the successful journey of a Widnes school, say Ofsted inspectors.

Simms Cross Primary School in Kingsway, placed in special measures in 2007, has now been recognised as good in an Ofsted report.

Ofsted inspector Lyn Pender said: “Consistently good teaching is enabling pupils to do increasingly well in every year group.

“This is a happy and caring school. Pupils play an active role. They confidently take on roles as school councillors, learning champions, road safety officers and sports ambassadors.

“The staff work as a well-organised, effective and highly committed team.

“The head teacher is highly ambitious. She is well supported by the deputy head teacher, staff and a highly committed and increasingly effective governing body.

“The motto ‘Shoot for the moon and you will land among the stars’ is displayed prominently throughout the school and demonstrates the high aspirations held by leaders and staff for pupils.”

The school, which has 234 pupils, manages a unit for children with special educational needs and caters for up to 14 pupils with autism.

Head teacher Lesley Feakes said:”The school community has worked with determination and enhusiasm to move the school from special measures to good.

“All pupils are included and supported to achieve well.

“In the early years, pupils become enthusiastic learners and these positive attitudes stay with them as they move through school.

“The staff and governors celebrate the school’s fantastic achievement and are now preparing for its next step to become an outstanding primary school.”