Pupils at a Preston school are celebrating after their school was judged ‘outstanding’ in all areas following its first Ofsted inspection.

An Ofsted inspection team visited the Olive School primary school, which opened in September 2016, for two days at the end of June.

The inspection report published this week commends The Olive School, Preston in all areas, including the ‘highly effective teaching’ and ‘exceptional progress’ of its pupils. Inspectors complimented the school’s senior leadership team who it says ‘have been instrumental in making sure that this relatively new school has provided high-quality education for all its pupils from the start.’ Ofsted inspectors also praised the ‘rich, challenging and enjoyable curriculum’ which they found evident throughout the school.

The report states that ‘pupils love school and become very confident, resilient and ambitious learners’ who ‘behave exceptionally well’ and that their ‘excellent behaviour makes a strong contribution to their enjoyment of school and to the quality of their learning’.

The school’s STAR values, Service, Teamwork, Ambition and Respect, were highlighted as a strength of the school: ‘The curriculum provides pupils with plenty of opportunities to develop these values through their respect for others, high expectations and aspirations in their work and their hopes for the future'.

Dawn Forshaw, Principal of The Olive School, Preston, said: “I am delighted that our school has been recognised as ‘outstanding’ in all areas by Ofsted in its first inspection. It was thrilling to read how impressed the inspectors were regarding the quality of teaching, and the immense impact this has had on the development, outcomes and high aspirations of our children and the enjoyment they experience when attending school.

“All members of the school community have been praised so highly, from how well-mannered and behaved our pupils are, to the constant support we receive from our parents, governors and Star Academies.

"It is amazing that the fantastic work of our staff has been recognised and that inspectors observed that staff care passionately about both the academic and personal development of all pupils. I am extremely proud that the vision for the school is being realised, which is ultimately changing the lives of our pupils for the better".

Mufti Hamid Patel CBE, Chief Executive of Star Academies, commented: “We couldn’t be prouder of the school’s ‘outstanding’ status. It is incredibly pleasing that Ofsted has recognised the hard work and dedication of staff, governors, pupils and parents at The Olive School, Preston.

"Thank you to everyone who has contributed to making the school such an exceptional learning and leadership environment.”