Ofsted joy for Brockdish Primary

One of Norfolk's smallest schools has been given extra reason to celebrate the Easter holidays after receiving an 'outstanding' Ofsted report.

Brockdish Primary School, near Diss, which has just 20 pupils, was given the highest grade by inspectors following a visit last month.

Teachers, pupils and governors are to celebrate with an Easter party today following the news that the Church of England voluntary controlled school had been rated as outstanding in 26 out of 27 categories.

The glowing Ofsted report added that the tiny school was well placed to continue its improvement into the future at its Victorian building in Grove Road.

Inspectors, who observed the two mixed-age classes, three teachers and headteacher, said Brockdish Primary was an "exciting" place to learn where pupils rarely lost interest and the curriculum was tailored to each individual. The school's excellent teaching and dynamic leadership were also praised for the improvement in test results.

The outstanding achievement is all the more impressive because it was only rated as 'satisfactory' following its last inspection four years ago.

Peter Lacey-Hastings, who has been headteacher for the last five years, said the Ofsted report demonstrated the advantages of having smaller class sizes. He added that the parents clapped and cheered when they were told the news.

"It has been down to a lot of hard work and working hard to improve the teaching, which in turn improves the outcome for the pupils. We have had a year-on-year increase in our Sats results and increased attendance."

"We have been thinking inside the box and outside the box and involved the pupils in creating an outside stage area and new playground markings," he said.

Ofsted inspector Godfrey Bancroft said that lessons were "imaginative, vibrant, and full of pace" and pupils were "eager not to miss the next exciting activity or learning opportunity".