A Hampshire infant school has secured a clean sweep after being rated ‘outstanding’ in every area following an Ofsted inspection.

Hiltingbury Infant School was described  as a place where children receive “a truly excellent start to their education in every aspect of school life.”

The school in Chandler’s Ford retains its outstanding rating having undergone a short inspection in 2021 where inspectors identified development points around their phonics programme and the curriculum.

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The school, with 270 pupils on roll, was re-inspected in September and recorded ‘outstanding’ in each of the graded areas. The report commended pupils on their behaviour and describes how parents know it is a place where their children are “happy, safe and attend a school where they will really flourish.”

The Ofsted inspection reads: "The school is extremely ambitious for what all pupils can achieve and learn. From the first day in the reception year, teachers build pupils’ learning very carefully so that pupils achieve highly in all subjects."

Head teacher Phillippa Longman welcomed the grading, telling the Daily Echo: “We are of course pleased with the judgement but for us the real reward is what we see every day at our school.

“Our staff have worked tirelessly to implement our new phonics scheme which has secured a more rigorous approach to the teaching of early reading. I am extremely proud of how they have embraced changes across the curriculum.

“Whilst the recent inspection was able to reflect that work, it is really about our staff, parents and community all working together to ensure our children are supported to achieve their personal best. That for me is what makes our school outstanding and defines who we are.”

Chair of governors Amy Ingram added: “I am so immensely proud of each and every member of staff for their hard work and unwavering dedication to give our children the very best start.

“I would like to thank all of our parents for their support, and the members of the Governing Body for being forward thinking and committed, and of course Phillippa and deputy head Laura Flood for their fantastic leadership.”