BURLEY Oaks Primary School had been judged to be 'outstanding' in all areas following a two-day Ofsted inspection in June.

Inspectors from the education watchdog were full of praise for the Burley-in-Wharfedale school saying: "This is an extraordinary school. It is filled with happy children who eagerly embrace the many opportunities that leaders have skilfully developed. The rich and ambitious curriculum ensures that pupils’ emotional well-being is developed exceptionally well alongside their excellent academic achievement."

Headteacher Claire Lee has written to parents to praise them for the "huge part" they play in supporting their children's learning and their unfaltering support for the school.

She said: "'This is an extraordinary school’ is the opening sentence and we are thrilled to have been judged ‘outstanding’ in every category.

"This inspection was the first for Burley Oaks since 2007; it was conducted against the new Ofsted framework and included a senior member of Her Majesty’s Inspectors. The report, which covers everything from the quality of education and how the school is led and managed to its pupils’ behaviour and attitudes, and their personal development reported that: 'Leaders at all levels are highly strategic and firmly focused on ensuring that every pupil is supported to succeed. Pupils behave exceptionally well in lessons and around school.'

"The lead inspector described the school as friendly and joyful with the feel of a real family. They found happy, confident pupils who say that it is ‘ok to be different’ and that everyone belongs.

"The report also noted that leaders had 'designed an impressive curriculum that is ambitious and exciting for pupils which captures pupils' interests and imagination and is delivered by teachers who are ‘highly skilled.’ Music is cleverly used across the school to both ignite a passion for this subject, as well as to enhance wider learning.'

"Ofsted was impressed by the school’s longstanding and ‘exemplary’ mental health and wellbeing provision and described the personal and social curriculum as ‘inspirational’.

"We are simply overjoyed with the report and judgement; it is a credit to every child and stakeholder. We have a team who put children first and care passionately about nurturing them. Together we ‘belong, believe, achieve’.

"This fabulous grading is a credit to the effort that our children put in, their impeccable behaviour and exceptional manners. We could not be more proud of the incredible human beings that they all are."