The Annual Report of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools in England: Standards and Quality in Education 1999/2000, published last week, shows that over the past five years there has been a continued improvement in assessment, tests and qualifications. It lists 281 successful schools from more than 4,700 inspected in the year, and highlights good practice in 16 nursery schools and 13 infant and nursery schools in England.
Duke Street Nursery School in Chorley, Lancashire, is one of the praised settings. Headteacher Karen Coffey said, 'The staff are pleased because it is great to get recognition. The nursery has a hard working team who value further study and receive a lot of parental support. We are planning on developing work with local playgroups and community links and hope this recognition will help us to build on that.'
Chief inspector of schools Mike Tomlinson said, 'As in previous years this report identifies particularly successful schools. These show what can be achieved. It is important that their success is recognised and that they are encouraged to disseminate their good practice to others.
'These schools have achieved an outstanding inspection report and performed well in national tests and examinations, given the circumstances of the schools.'
School standards minister Estelle Morris said many schools had responded well to the big challenges of raising standards, particularly in literacy and numeracy. 'I want to congratulate teachers, pupils and schools on what has been achieved. Improvements in teaching have brought about rising standards in pupils' attainment at all levels,' she said.
The annual report is available for 13.30 from the Stationery Office or on www.ofsted.gov.uk
