BUSHY Leaze Children and Families Centre in Alton has retained its ‘outstanding’ Ofsted rating after its first inspection in six years.

The nursery school in Eastbrook Road provides early years education to more than 80 children aged two to five years old, more than a third of whom have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

Government inspectors visited the school on March 22 and published their report on Monday, giving particular praise to Bushy Leaze’s pupils.

The report stated: “Children at this school are delightful. They show enjoyment in their learning and being together with each other. They are safe and happy.

“Adults are caring and nurturing, and parents and carers agree with this. One parent who spoke to an inspector said ‘I trust the staff 100 per cent’.”

It added children at Bushy Leaze “focus and concentrate well”, have “many opportunities to be creative and use their imagination”, and “poor behaviour is rare because children know how to share and take turns”.

Children, including those with SEND, also know teachers are there to help them “but do not rely on their help”, and Ofsted also recognised adults are “caring and nurturing”, are “ambitious” for pupils and “relationships are strong”.

Helen Porter, interim head teacher at Bushy Leaze Children and Families Centre, said: “An ‘outstanding’ judgement is the result of continued hard work from all members of the school community – staff, governors, trustees, parents and carers, and children – a real team effort. We are immensely proud and will continue to work hard to ensure the best opportunities for every child who comes to Bushy Leaze.”