NURSERY school pupils had a special reason to celebrate this week, after their school was awarded as ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted.

After visiting Elms Road Nursery School in Botley, Oxford, education inspectors found that “achievement was outstanding and progress in all areas was exceptional”.

They also highlighted the quality of teaching, support from parents and opportunities for children to learn in and out the classroom.

Headteacher Alison Brockliss said: “We are particularly proud of our forest school sessions, where children are made to feel confident to leave the nursery.

“We take them into a local forest with adults to explore, and the children really love it.”

Children also take care of a vegetable garden, learning how to grow pumpkins and strawberries.

The school takes up to 40 children aged three and four, and has been running in Botley since 1943.

The last inspection was in 2007, when it received a ‘good’ rating.

Mrs Brockliss said: “It is all credit to our terrific staff team. We all work together and I think that is reflected in this report.”