A String of Sussex schools have been singled out for praise by the chief inspector of schools.

A total of 16 schools across the county feature in this year's list of Ofsted's outstanding schools.

They are: Patcham House School in Brighton, Cardinal Newman School in Brighton, Trafalgar Community Infant School in Horsham, Southbourne Junior School in Emsworth, Rumboldswhyke Infants' School in Chichester, Shoreham Beach Community First School, Bognor Regis Nursery School, Broadwater First and Middle School in Worthing, Little Common School in Bexhill, Roselands Infants' School in Eastbourne, St Michael's Primary School in Rye, St Andrew's Infants' School in Eastbourne, Rodmell Primary School near Lewes, St Philip's Primary School in Uckfield, Cuckmere House School in Seaford and the Pupil Referral Unit (North) in Crawley.

Chief inspector of schools David Bell said: "All those on the list have characteristics that distinguish outstanding education and training. They have strong, dynamic leadership and excellent or very good teaching that results in pupils or students making progress and achieving very well."

Rumboldswhyke Infants' School in Chichester appeared on the list for the second time while Bognor Regis Nursery School was one of 24 schools nationally to appear for the third time.

Mr Bell said: "Schools that have been identified as outstanding in not just one but two or three inspections have proved themselves to be consistently high achievers and the best of the best."

Jean Ensing, the chairwoman of governors at the nursery school for three to five year-olds in Victoria Drive, Bognor Regis, said: "We are very proud that the quality of teaching and care has been recognised in this way. To be listed in the top two per cent of schools nationally is a great tribute to the professionalism, commitment and hard work of the staff."

Broadwater First and Middle School in Rectory Gardens, Worthing, was one of six in the country that were previously under achieving or in special measures.

Mr Bell said: "It is a remarkable achievement to have gone from this position to become an outstanding school and I congratulate these six on the significant progress made."

Broadwater deputy head Bruce Waelend said: "The school went through some very troubled times but now it's a very good school with excellent teaching. This is a real pat on the back and a vote of confidence for the leadership and teaching staff at the school."

Ofsted carried out more than 2,000 inspections of primary, nursery, secondary and special schools and pupil referral units in 2004/05.