By Jenny Barwise

Last updated 13:23, Tuesday, 18 November 2008

A WORKINGTON school has been praised in a national report for breaking the cycle of white working class pupils underachieving.

Recognised: Headteacher Cath Pearson: “It is lovely to think your hard work is not only recognised locally, but nationally

St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, on Holden Road, was one of 11 schools across the country to appear in the report, which looks at schools where pupils are doing significantly better than the national average.

And headteacher Cath Pearson said that she is extremely proud of the school’s success.

“It is lovely to think your hard work is not only recognised locally, but nationally, it is a real accolade.

“I am extremely proud. I don’t do this on my own, it is teamwork – the whole staff working together for the good of every child. All you want is for each child to be able to reach their potential and enjoy coming to school, and when you see the children coming in full of the joys, it is great.”

The report, which was commissioned by the National Union of Teachers and the National College for School Leadership, shows schools which are bucking the trend in which white boys and girls on free school meals are the lowest attaining group in the country, apart from gypsy and traveller youngsters.

The school’s achievements include being top of the league tables in the area and having an outstanding Ofsted report in 2006.

Mrs Pearson, who has been head of the school for seven years, said that staff who were at the school before she came told her that since she arrived, St Mary’s has achieved a lot.

In the school’s Ofsted report in 2006, it said that the school serves a disadvantaged neighbourhood where a significant number of the students face difficulties. It said that four out of five students came from Moss Bay - a deprived ward.

The report judged Mrs Pearson’s leadership to be outstanding.

JBarwise@cngroup.co.uk