The team at Potton Pre-School are celebrating after receiving an Ofsted report with ‘outstanding’ ratings in every category.

The report’s findings, based on a visit by inspector Katrina Rodden on November 30, praise children’s motivation to learn, working well together and ability to take age-appropriate risks.

Staff are described as excellent role models who work very closely with other settings that children attend, helping to ensure continuity in their progress.

The staff at the Everton Road pre-school take votes from the children over whether to listen to a story or go on singing songs, which the inspector writes “helps children understand that their thoughts and choices are valued”.

Ms Rodden concludes: “Children thrive on the sense of responsibility staff give them. They take turns to be the helper of the day, taking the lead in routine tasks and becoming a positive role model for other children. The praise staff give helps to boost children’s self-esteem very well.”

The pre-school’s last inspection, in May 2014, earned it a ‘good’ rating. This time around it has been rated ‘outstanding’ in all fields – effectiveness of leadership, quality of teaching, personal development and outcomes for children.

Sandy Upper School has also received a fresh ‘good’ rating after a short inspection by Ofsted on December 6.

In a letter to head Karen Hayward, inspector Caroline Pardy wrote: “The leadership team has maintained the good quality of education in the school since the last inspection.

“Following this inspection, the school went through a period of instability. However, your calm, determined and decisive leadership has brought about the stability required to improve standards further.”

Governance at Sandy Upper was described as “very strong”.

The inspector said most of the students spoken to by Ofsted felt their views were listened to.

One was quoted as saying: “Listening to us is not just about the big things.

“It’s when you tell a teacher their teaching style is not helping you learn and they change it that matters.”

As next steps for Sandy Upper, the inspector called on the school to develop pupils’ extended writing skills to ensure continued improvements in science and literacy skills in humanities.

You can read the reports in full at reports.ofsted.org.uk.