TWO Dorset schools have been named as "outstanding" by education watchdog Ofsted.

Sandford Church of England Middle School near Wareham and Allenbourn Middle School in Wimborne have appeared in Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools David Bell's annual report.

Schools and colleges on the list of 415 throughout the country stand out as having done particularly well on virtually all fronts or as having achieved highly against the odds.

Sandford School was praised for "attaining standards better than would be expected from pupils' starting points when they entered the school".

The report went on to say: "A most impressive feature of the school is the way it encourages the development of mature, well rounded young people.

"Pupils' personal development and the relationships between themselves and with adults are excellent. Teaching is good overall, with a high proportion that is very good or excellent." The report said there were no areas where major improvement was needed.

Headteacher Rob Graham said: "I can't take the credit for the report as I only joined the school last month.

"But we're all thrilled at being mentioned in the annual report. It is down to the hard work of the previous headteacher Geoff Pike and the staff and pupils at the school.

"It has set a benchmark that we aim to maintain."

Allenbourn School was described as "a very good school, with some excellent features". The report said: "The pupils achieve well because of the very positive attitudes to learning that the school fosters and the very good teaching."

It also highlighted the fact that standards in English, maths and science were very high and that it was a caring school with courteous pupils.

Mr Bell said: "I heartily congratulate the headteachers, staff, governors and pupils of the schools named in my annual report on their success and hard work in delivering such a high standard of education."

Inspection reports for schools and colleges can be found on Ofsted's website at www.ofsted.gov.uk.