The new system of OfSTED inspections means that schools only receive 2-3 days' notice before inspectors arrive. We have been expecting them to call any moment since September 05 and our turn finally came just as our headteacher, Ann Tann, was leaving to go on a week-long residential trip to Swanage with the year 4 and 5 children. Deputy head, Mark Smith, was already en route with the children and two other members of staff. The inspectors were unfazed by the absence of senior leadership - and 1/3 of our children - fixing the inspection day that week. Fortunately, one of the governors was able to take Ann's place in Swanage on the inspection days so she could be in school before they arrived.

We knew that we were good, but it is very gratifying to receive professional confirmation of the high standards that we believe we are setting and achieving. The inspectors also agreed with our assessment of the area on which we can improve further, and recognise that we have the systems in place to do so.

Our current position is the result of many years' sustained focus, innovation and commitment from all the staff. The inspectors quite rightly highlighted the significant positive impact of Ann Tann, who has driven the school (and the staff, and herself!) forward with such passion, understanding and dedication. They were also very impressed by the imaginative range of provision we make for individual children - the work of our Special Educational Needs co-ordinator Carol Davies playing a major role in our being judged 'Outstanding' in this area. We are extremely fortunate to have been blessed with such a Headteacher and staff who always seem prepared to go the extra mile for our children.

The inspectors now also write a letter to each child in the schools they visit. It provides the inspectors with an opportunity to say something slightly different about the school (the content and length of the report itself are very tightly constrained) and we are delighted that they praised the children for their hard work and extremely good behaviour - indeed, our children's development and well-being was the other area judged 'Outstanding'. Similarly, they were able to note the positive influence of Nigel Sorensen - I doubt many caretakers get mentioned by Ofsted, but then Nigel is so much more to our school than a caretaker.

The inspectors were themselves being inspected on their first day in St James and their Director of Inspections remarked on the high return rate of parental questionnaires, all of which made positive comments (and nothing but positive comments) about the school - something he had never seen before in all his years of inspecting. The report states that parents justifiably hold the school in high regard and we know that we have Ann and all the staff to thank for that, but we also acknowledge that we would not be where we are today without the efforts of the children, without the support their parents' give them at home and the great support they give to the staff and school in many ways.

So, we have paused to give each other a well deserved pat on the back and are now back to the business of "Bringing Out The Best". Oh, and that small matter of meeting our TARGET 50k challenge for additional classrooms… !