Outstanding – and that’s official

Primary and secondary schools, as well as childminders and day care providers, have all come under the national spotlight after being declared outstanding in the chief inspector of school's annual report.

Among the 1,476 establishments highlighted in the report nationwide, are 18 Hampshire and two Southampton schools.

They have all been visited by inspectors from the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) during the last academic year (2005-06) and achieved the top grade of "outstanding".

One of them is Shirley Warren Primary and Nursery School - Southampton's only primary to achieve Ofsted's top accolade despite serving one of the city's most deprived areas.

While children start school with standards that are below average they make such good progress that they leave having reached above average standards.

Head teacher Lynne Sproson, who took over the 250-pupil primary in 2000 after school inspectors found it to have serious weaknesses, was delighted.

She said: "We are all immensely proud of this significant achievement; it is a testimony to the dedication and hard work of all the staff. We strive to be an inclusive, caring and supportive school where all adults and pupils thrive.

"We have very high expectations of our community in learning, teaching, relationships and behaviour and work hard to make school a happy place to be.

"This Ofsted report is a huge incentive to all of us to continue to make a difference in the education and lives of our children and our school community."

The school's turnaround in performance, which saw it achieve top marks across all seven assessment areas, began with Mrs Sproson and her staff tackling bad behaviour in and out of the classroom.

"I believe that you get the behaviour you tolerate. We only get good behaviour because we don't tolerate anything else."

When inspectors visited the school they found pupils' "thorough enjoyment" of school could be seen in their "excellent behaviour" and "very good attitudes" to work.

Lessons are designed to be exciting, fun and relevant with lots of innovative ideas introduced to improve children's attainment levels.

In English, "writers' workshops" take place across the school where youngsters have the chance to read out what they have written to the class. There is also a big emphasis on talking and listening.

"You cannot write a sentence correctly unless you can say it," said Mrs Sproson.

She said the school's behaviour policy is supported by a strong emphasis on building children's self-esteem, creating a very happy environment and listening to what children want.

The only other Southampton school to make it onto the list was Bitterne Park Secondary that won the outstanding seal of approval during its inspection earlier this year.

Inspectors said that every student at the 1,350-pupil school was "expertly nurtured" thanks to the "scrupulous" assessment, monitoring and fostering of their educational progress and personal growth.

Every aspect of the school, including its outstanding leadership, teaching and learning, won praise from the inspection team.

Head teacher Susan Trigger said: "We see our inclusion in this report as an official national recognition of all the hard work that has been going on for several years.

"It's the icing on the cake to have joined a very exclusive group of schools."

Every year the school's rising popularity means that more parents' hopes of sending their sons and daughters to the school are dashed.

Last September about a hundred youngsters were refused a place because there was simply not enough room.

Now Mrs Trigger hopes education bosses' recommendations to expand the school to 1,500 places will get the go-ahead.

Other plans in the pipeline include developing the curriculum, expanding vocational learning and recruiting extra teachers.

She also hopes that next year the school will break through the 70 per cent barrier for the percentage of pupils gaining five or more GCSEs grades A* to C.

This year 65 per cent of pupils gained five or more top grades - a big improvement on the 40 per cent of pupils who achieved the same standard five years ago.

Southampton's Cabinet member for children's services and education Councillor Ann Milton said: "We know that Bitterne Park is an exceptional school in Southampton.

"Shirley Warren Primary and Nursery School is in one of Southampton's most deprived areas and staff have given 110 per cent commitment and give their all against the odds.

In Hampshire, schools that have been singled out in today's report include Compton All Saints Church of England Primary School in Winchester, Fair Oak Junior School in Eastleigh, Berrywood Primary School in Hedge End, Newtown Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School in Gosport and Fordingbridge Junior School in the New Forest.

Wildern School in Hedge End, Houndsdown School and Kings' School in Winchester were also described as outstanding.

Susan Lawrence, the head teacher of Kings' School said: "We are absolutely delighted to have been included on the list.

"We have got the support of the parents. We have a really hard working committed governing body, incredible staff and pupils who follow the school's work ethic."

Mrs Lawrence said the success of the 1,670-pupil school, which saw 81 per of pupils gain five or more GCSEs graded A* to C this year, had been consistent, not "a flash in a pan."

Plans at the school include sustaining GCSE results, broadening the curriculum and applying for sports status next year.

Hampshire County Council's top education councillor, David Kirk said: " I am proud of all the good work going on across the county. Hampshire County Council is committed to ensuring all the county's children gain from their education and achieve their potential."

Ofsted's Chief Inspector of Schools Christine Gilbert said: "My congratulations go out to all involved in these outstanding schools, colleges and early years settings for their success in delivering such a high standard of education and care.

"I am delighted to recognise their achievement and pay tribute to their work."

My congratulations to all involved in these outstanding schools. I am delighted to recognise their achievement and pay tribute to their work ' Christine Gilbert Chief Inspector of Schools