Two local schools have proved so impressive to Ofsted inspectors that they have both been ranked outstanding.

Oakwood Primary School and Batchwood Special School, both in St Albans, achieved the top designation after recent Ofsted inspecstions.

Oakwood in Oakwood Drive was ranked outstanding in all areas including leadership and management, quality of teaching, achievement and behaviour of students.

Headteacher Zoe Buckley said: “It’s wonderful news and just reward for the hard work and dedication of all members of the Oakwood community, including pupils, staff, governors and parents.

“Children and parents were very excited when we informed them of the outcome today and we want to plan a fitting celebration.”

Alison Curran, chair of governors, welcomed the report and said: “We have a highly talented team at Oakwood that are focused on the children’s learning experience.

“The children, in turn, have an exceptional attitude to learning and it is fantastic that the inspection has seen and acknowledged this so positively.”

The school was inspected for two days with a total of 20 lessons being observed by inspectors and jointly by either the head teacher or deputy head.

In its last report five years ago Ofsted rated Oakwood as a good school.

Batchwood Special School in Townsend Drive is also celebrating its latest Ofsted inspection that concluded with a designation of outstanding.

At its last inspection in 2009, it was ranked satisfactory but the latest report states: “High expectations and a strong ethos based on the achievement of each individual student now pervade every area of the school.”

“The warmth and positive regard with which all staff treat the students enables them to offer support and guidance which are listened to and acted upon. Students take pride in school and their achievements, and treat adults and each other with courtesy and respect.

“As a result, behaviour in lessons and around the school is outstanding.”

Headteacher Anne Spencer remarked: “The whole school has worked very hard for this outcome and we are all delighted.

“The inspectors praised our partnerships with alternative outside providers, such as Oaklands, and the fact that these partnerships support our students to become lifelong learners and achieve success at college and beyond.”

She added: “Everyone is to be commended for their commitment to the school, especially the students.”