PRAISE was heaped on Barrow’s Ramsden Infant School back in May 2007 as being outstanding in all areas.

The school in Thwaite Street achieved the top grade from the Office for Standards in Education and was described as “the rock of the community”.

Ofsted inspectors noted: “Ramsden Infants is an outstanding school that provides excellent value for money.”

It said headteacher Nicky Brewerton “provides excellent leadership, based firmly on the pursuit of high achievement.”

Inconsiderate dog owners were in the spotlight in 1989 when headteacher Sheila Rothwell called for a metal mesh fence to stop dog fouling in front of the school grounds.

She said: “We have a lovely stretch of grass and we can’t use it because of fouling by dogs.”

When the school wanted to brighten up one of its teaching areas in 1989 it was able to call on some extra artistic talent from the nearby St Bernard’s School.

When the painting was completed there was a reward in the form of a box of chocolates for Nina De Broize, Karen Millard, Emma Jameson and Allison Shepherd.

The latest in school technology went on display in 1991 with parents getting a chance to try it out.

The Mail on June 28 noted: “The technology evening followed a successful computer appeal by the school and was a way for the governors of saying thank you to supporters.”

World disasters through the decades have always prompted youngsters to do what they can.

In May 1991 pupils got the globe out at Ramsden Infant School to pinpoint Bangladesh and request £100 for an appeal fund after the country was hit by a tropical cyclone.

The Mail noted: “They asked that they money be donated from the school’s charity fund after a special geography lesson in which the disaster was discussed.”

In 1998 Ofsted inspectors left the school having seen a “compassionate and caring community.

The report singled out the school’s teachers, led by Janet Holland, for particular praise.

The report concluded: “The headteacher, staff and governors are to be congratulated on their work and dedication which have enabled pupils to reach these high levels of attainment.”

The Mail, on September 27 in 2006, said that the school made learning fun for its pupils.

It noted: “The door of each classroom leads out on to a rubber-matted area which is so colourful that it makes Noddy’s Toytown seem dull."

There was a Wendy house and a train for the 114 infants and 39 nursery children to enjoy.

Headteacher Nicky Brewerton said: “It’s got to be fun, you have to let them be children.

“The children learn through experiences.

“At this age it’s our job to find out what their gifts and talents are and let them try new things.”