THE largest nursery school in the county has received a glowing Ofsted report, describing it as outstanding in all categories. Children at Huntingdon Nursery School, which has above average numbers of children still learning English and some from an area

THE largest nursery school in the county has received a glowing Ofsted report, describing it as outstanding in all categories.

Children at Huntingdon Nursery School, which has above average numbers of children still learning English and some from an area described as having very high social deprivation, received a letter from Ofsted inspector Joanne Harvey telling them how lucky they were.

The inspector for the Office for Standards in Education, said: "I think you are very lucky to go to such a wonderful nursery school. I saw you having so much fun and doing lots of exciting things. You are very well behaved and everyone gets on so well together.

"I saw you all working and playing hard in classes, having lunch together quietly and sensibly and playing and working outside too. Because all the grown ups work very hard and look after you so well, you not only do very well with your learning, you become nice people, too."

The report gave the school a mark of outstanding (the highest mark) across all the sections - for overall effectiveness, achievement and standards, the children's personal development and well-being, teaching and learning, curriculum, care guidance and support, and leadership and management.

The remarks said: "This is certainly a very happy and harmonious school. Because children are encouraged to express their opinions and to accept increasing responsibilities, they grow in confidence and their personal development is outstanding." One parent is quoted as writing: "It is the most brilliant, exciting, inviting place to send your child."

The inspection went on to say that when asked what they liked about the school, children listed everything they did, inside and outside.

"Children show respect for themselves and others. They learn to share, take turns, to cope with their emotions and develop a good sense of right and wrong. Lunchtimes are also a joy when, during family service, behaviour is exemplary and conversations flow."

The report said that children achieved extremely well. When they started at the nursery, they had much lower levels of knowledge, skills and understanding than most pupils of their age, especially in English and maths, but by the time they left nursery, the children had caught up and some had passed other children of their age.

Headteacher, Kay Dimelow, "tirelessly employs rigorous procedures for checking the work of the school and how well children are progressing", the report said.

"She provides an outstanding role model. She has created a hardworking team who are united in their aim to provide the highest quality education in an atmosphere where everyone feels happy."

The report says the excellent condition of the building, environment and resources arose from astute management.

* Huntingdon Nursery School has 119 pupils aged between three and five.