A PARTNERED nursery and primary school have been given the highest possible praise by education inspectors.
Chipstead Valley Primary and Coulsdon Nursery have been rated outstanding on all counts by Ofsted inspectors who visited earlier this month.
The federated schools, half a mile apart in Coulsdon, were rated "good" at their previous inspections, in 2007 and 2009.
Head teacher of both schools Mark Rosewell said he was "very proud" of their achievements.
He added: "I am lucky that not only are they all excellent teachers but they are really, really committed to getting better every day."
Inspectors said students at the primary school had an "overwhelmingly positive" approach to school and their behaviour was "exemplary".
Lessons are "enjoyable" and have a "high level of challenge for all," they continued, adding: "The school provides outstandingly well for pupils who find learning difficult, so they can take part fully in school life and achieve to the best of their ability."
Ninety per cent of pupils achieved level 4 or above in both English and maths last year, compared with 79 per cent nationally and 85 per cent the year before.
Inspectors added that staff at the Chipstead Valley Road school are succeeding in helping pupils "close gaps" in achievement.
They said children supported by the pupil premium, who make up a smaller proportion of students than the national average, showed little difference overall against others.
Inspectors who visited the nursery, in Linden Avenue, meanwhile, said children there were "extremely confident learners".
Lead inspector Kevin Hodge said: "[They] gain better than expected levels of language, number and social skills. This prepares them well for their next schools."
He added that children start at the nursery at levels typical for their age, and a "high proportion" are achieving "better than expected" by the time they leave.
He added: "Children's manipulative skills are also developed to a high level, with Mothers' Day cards and imaginary cupcake-making providing a wealth of opportunities for children to develop their creative skills."
Mr Rosewell said the schools' forming a federation in 2006 had helped them both improve.
"The main benefits are the shared staff and the continuity for the children – many of them go to the nursery and then the primary," he said.
Mr Rosewell added: "We have this slogan which is 'be the best that you can be' and it is important to us that refers to the kids as much as to the adults.
"We have hard-working, talented staff, supportive parents, effective governors, and behind all of that we have great kids and we are very proud of them."
