Staff at Portsmouth High School are celebrating after a recent Ofsted Inspection judged the provision of care and education for all 3 to 4 year olds, in the Portsmouth High School Nursery and Reception Class, as outstanding in all categories.

The Nursery Class at the Southsea Independent School opened its doors to 3 to 4 year olds in September 2005 and has been going from strength to strength ever since. Following the Ofsted inspection in June, inspectors stated; “…… children attending the provision are offered an exceptional quality of education”.

OFSTED inspections are carried out to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and nursery education. An outstanding rating for a category means that the provision in that area is of exceptionally high quality.

Inspectors rated the quality of teaching and learning at Portsmouth High School Nursery as outstanding stating; “Children are very keen learners. They are confident, play contentedly on their own and with others and eagerly respond to challenges”.

Of the way in which the setting helps children make a positive contribution, inspectors said; “The partnership with parents and carers is outstanding.” 

The leadership and management was also praised with inspectors stating that; “Children attending the nursery and reception have a brilliant time. They are happy, secure and reaching full potential in all areas of learning.”

Charlotte Hadfield, Head of the Junior Department said; “We are all absolutely thrilled with the report. To gain an outstanding in all areas is a great achievement and down to the hard work and enthusiasm of the Early Years team.  We have always been incredibly proud of the Nursery, which is housed within our Early Years building at the Junior School; it has a wonderful atmosphere and it is easy to see how happy the children are to be there. We received the report just after the end of term, so when pupils and staff return in September we really will be able to celebrate.”

Parents will have an opportunity to visit the Nursery and Early Years setting on Saturday 4 October when the whole school, Nursery through to Sixth Form will be open for its Annual Open Day. Alternatively the Nursery team will be happy to arrange individual visits and play sessions so that parents and pupils are able to gain a real ‘feel’ for the atmosphere of the school.