A VILLAGE primary school has been judged to be outstanding by a team of government inspectors. Ofsted – the Office for Standards in Education – has given a glowing report to Beech Hyde Primary School and Nursery in Nurseries Road, Wheathampstead. It was r

A VILLAGE primary school has been judged to be outstanding by a team of government inspectors.

Ofsted - the Office for Standards in Education - has given a glowing report to Beech Hyde Primary School and Nursery in Nurseries Road, Wheathampstead.

It was rated outstanding in many categories including the overall effectiveness of the school where pupils' achievements are consistently higher than average in English, maths and science.

The "powerful vision" of head Delia Bonner was singled out for praise and the governing body was praised for offering high-quality strategic support and advice.

Pupils demonstrated that they wanted to be at school and Ofsted concluded that both they and their parents were overwhelmingly positive about Beech Hyde.

Many parents wrote letters of admiration for what the staff did for the children, one of whom stated: "I know all the children are valued at Beech Hyde because they are happy, helpful, considerate and conscientious and I know my own are making fast progress because of the teaching they get."

The school's curriculum was judged to be exceptionally broad, catering for pupils' personal, social, health and citizenship education very strongly.

The head commented: "We are delighted by this judgement which recognises what we are always striving to achieve for all children at Beech Hyde. Particularly pleasing was the recognition of the strong teaching leading to above-average standards by the end of Year Six."

Chair of governors, David Allen, added: "The Ofsted report is confirmation of what the parents and governors know. I am especially pleased with this outcome as only 10 per cent of primary schools in Herts who were inspected last year were judged to be outstanding.

"This judgement would not have been possible without the very strong leadership and management at the school and particularly by Mrs Bonner.