AN EDUCATION watchdog has praised Dorset schools for their educational standards after 15 schools and 31 childcare centres received the top judgement this year.

It comes after Ofsted published its annual report prepared for the House of Commons yesterday.

The inspectors have visited more than 31,000 schools, early years and children’s social care units in the period covering the 2010-2011 academic year – from September 1, 2010 until August 31, 2011.

In Dorset, 15 schools, 31 childcare providers, two children’s centres, one independent education provider and four children’s social care providers have been rewarded with top judgements in 2010/11.

Inspectors particularly praised the success of Mountjoy School in Bridport, which is a special school for pupils with special educational needs. A very large majority of pupils have severe learning difficulties, some have autistic spectrum disorder, profound and multiple learning difficulties or behavioural, emotional and social difficulties.

James Franzen, headteacher at Mountjoy School, said: “Everyone at Mountjoy is strongly committed to providing the very best education for our pupils. We work hard to understand our pupils’ needs and ensure they feel safe and supported.”

Inspectors stated that under new leadership, the school has improved rapidly and pupils say there is nothing they would change about the school as they like everything just the way that it is.

In November last year Budmouth College in Weymouth celebrated receiving an outstanding Ofsted report.

Principal David Akers said everyone was ‘over the moon’ at the college after the glowing inspection report.

He said: “It is a wonderful accolade that is richly deserved and reflects the huge amount of hard work that has gone into the development of the college over several years.”

The Thomas Hardye School, which was given academy status in August, also received an outstanding Ofsted in October 2007.

Her Majesty’s Ofsted Chief Inspector, Miriam Rosen said: “Everyone who has contributed towards the delivery of the outstanding services across Dorset deserves our recognition.”