PUPILS and staff of a Cheshire school are celebrating with parents and governors following a remarkable Ofsted inspection.

The high standards at Shocklach Oviatt CE Primary School were recognised with an Ofsted rating of 'outstanding' in all key areas, making the school one of the best in the country.

Ofsted, the Government's Office for Standards in Education, carry out an inspection of all schools every three years and report on seven key areas of the school including effectiveness, standards and caring. Scoring for these areas can range from grade 4 (inadequate) to grade 1 (outstanding). Shocklach scored grade 1 in all seven key areas.

Shocklach School is a small rural school withjust49pupils andispartof an informal federation of rural schools in the area.

The school has Investors in People status, Basic Skills Agency Quality Mark,the GoldArtsmarkandHealthy Schools Award.

Headteacher Jane Cottam-Marshall said: 'To achieve the highest grade 1 for outstanding work in all of the inspection categories is a superb achievement and is testimony to the talent and hard work of everybody associated with the school.

'Our drive to improve upon already high academic standards and to provide the best possible opportunities for all children is a major factor in the school's success.'

The report is available for down-load online at: www.ofsted.gov.uk .

The school's website can be found at: www.shocklachoviatt.cheshire.sch.uk