An infant school is celebrating after the “unique achievement” of an outstanding Ofsted rating after expanding on to a second site.

West Hove Infant School’s base in School Road was extended in 2011 with a second site on Connaught Road, making it one of the biggest infant schools in the country.

Ofsted has identified “outstanding” teaching, an “inspirational” head teacher and a “dynamic” senior leadership team as the key reasons why pupils make outstanding progress.


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Lead inspector Liz Bowes said in the report: “Pupils make outstanding progress in the reception class and continue to make exceptional progress in Years 1 and 2.

“Teachers are exceptionally good at identifying the personal and social needs of all pupils.

“Pupils have outstanding attitudes to learning and their exemplary behaviour makes the school a happy and calm place.

“All groups make outstanding progress, including disabled pupils, those who have special educational needs and those who are eligible for the pupil premium.”

The report also highlighted how the pupils’ enjoyment of the school is reflected by their consistently above-average attendance, which continues to improve.

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Head teacher Wendy Harkness said: “The most important thing at any school is what happens in the classroom.

“Our teachers, teaching assistants and support staff are the ones who really make the difference and I’m thrilled that their skills and sheer hard work have been recognised in this way.”

The inspectors observed 38 lessons on December 5 and 6, took into consideration 186 parent responses in a questionnaire and staff views were analysed through 66 questionnaire responses.

The chairman of Brighton and Hove City Council’s children and young people committee, councillor Sue Shanks, said: “Achieving an outstanding Ofsted rating has never been harder.

“To maintain their top ranking while expanding the school on to a second site is, as far as I know, a unique achievement.

“West Hove Infants have proved that expanding successful schools can be of massive benefit to local families.

“Their success is the template we are using as we expand their linked school West Hove Juniors on to the former Hove Police Station site on Holland Road.”