St Vincent's honoured as one of the best schools in England

St Vincent's Primary in Norden was honoured by Ofsted in a celebratory event recognising the country's outstanding schools last week.

It is the third time the school has been judged outstanding in Ofsted inspections.

Head Teacher Eamonn Scott said: "The children are our priority; everything we do, everything we introduce we ask will it improve the children's education, enjoyment or relationships? All children and staff take responsibility for the improvement and development of the school and are fully involved in the decision process, all of which helps to make our school successful.

"Staff are willing to develop and take responsibility for different aspects of the curriculum and provide new experiences for the children. In music we have an orchestra and a choir which has sung at the Birmingham festival for the past two years and we have also just started a brass band. In sport our children have just won a water polo competition as well as playing all the usual team games.

"We also have an Eco Team to recycle all our waste, which over 90 children are involved in, and the children grow their own vegetables and flowers as part of the science curriculum.

"Although we are very proud of the children's academic achievements we are also very proud of their behaviour and attitude. Our ethos is based on self-discipline, justice, fairness and caring for and helping others."

Mr Scott has been a Head Teacher at St Vincent's for 25 years, and has seen one ex-pupil, Joe Thompson, go on to play for Rochdale FC, and another student, now 13, appear in Macbeth at the Royal Exchange.

Schools on the 'outstanding' list are described by Ofsted as providing an excellent quality of education across the full range of their work and attaining high levels of student achievement across an often diverse and complex range of circumstances.

Hosting Friday's celebration at The Monastery, Manchester, Ofsted's Chief Inspector Christine Gilbert recognised the determination, ambition and commitment it takes to become an outstanding school.

Addressing 160 Head teachers, the Chief Inspector said: "I wholeheartedly congratulate the Head teachers, staff, governors and students of all outstanding schools on their success and hard work in delivering such an excellent standard of education. Outstanding schools have leaders of vision, courage and conviction, and the ability to create and inspire their staff, their students and the communities they serve. I hope that these outstanding schools are a beacon to others; an example of what can be achieved with aspiration and determination."

Schools that appear on the Outstanding Providers list 2007/08 receive commemorative certificates and are authorised to use an exclusive "outstanding provider" logo.

2940 schools, colleges and social care providers in England were judged to be outstanding in the inspection cycle 2007-2008.