A school in Dorchester is celebrating its ‘outstanding’ ach-ievement after an Ofsted visit.

St Osmund’s Middle School received top marks after a surprise visit in the first week of term.

Judith Rundle, the lead inspector, reported that ‘high expectations and outstanding teaching inspire pupils’ interest and curiosity for learning’.

The report went on to state that every aspect of the school was found to be ‘outstanding’.

Head teacher at the school, Ron Jenkinson, said staff and pupils are ‘overjoyed’ with the report.

He said: “It reflects the hard work that everyone puts into the school.

“We are particularly proud that, under a much tougher Ofsted regime, we have been found to be outstanding.”

He added: “It is also exciting that inspectors recognised that the ethos of the school has created a place where all children can thrive.

“We see this as a key to our success, and the inspectors agreed that the outstanding academic re-sults of our pupils were achieved because of a culture of support.”

The report praised the school’s ‘learning culture’, created by senior staff members, which it states helps both pupils and staff to thrive, and also noted that the high expectations of teachers ‘promotes positive pupil behaviour.’ Academic standards are ‘well above average’ with all pupils making ‘rapid and sustained progress across subjects and age groups’, the behaviour of pupils is ‘outstanding in lessons and around the school’, and the teaching of reading, writing and nu-meracy is ‘highly effective’, the report found.

Inspectors also noted the ‘excellent opportunities’ that pupils are given to take on responsibility through the school council, adding that their ‘spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is outstanding. The school’s teaching assistants were praised for their role in offering ‘outstanding support.’ The board of governors were found to have ‘extremely high expectations’ and to be ‘tenacious in ensuring all pupils have equality of opportunity’.

The Reverend Harold Stephens, chair of governors, said: “We are thrilled at the report.”