A SOUTHAMPTON independent school has been described as good with outstanding features by inspectors from the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted).

They praised standards of teaching and learning, the broad curriculum, extra curricular activities and the way St Mary's College cares for all 303 pupils.

Inspectors found that the achievement of pupils of all ages and abilities was outstanding. While Christian values were found to underpin the school's ethos, inspectors praised the way the Roman Catholic school also welcomed pupils from other faiths.

St Mary's College, which caters for youngsters aged from three to 16, was complimented for making improvements to its outdoor provision - a recommendation in its previous Ofsted report.

The junior school was singled out for focusing on developing pupils' basic skills of literacy, numeracy and information and communication technology within a broad curriculum that includes French from Year 3.

In the senior school the broad curriculum was found to be well matched to the needs of individual pupils while extra support was put in place for youngsters with learning difficulties.

Head teacher Brother James Davis said: "I would like to pay tribute to the whole school community for this splendid report - the staff who work tirelessly to raise standards, students committed to high achievement and parents for their support and encouragement."

Ofsted inspectors carry out regular visits to independent schools to check that they can continue to be registered as independent schools.

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