STAFF and pupils at a Calne school are celebrating after inspectors declared its education standards excellent.

The Independent Schools Inspectorate, the Ofsted equivalent for independent schools, graded St Margaret’s Preparatory School excellent for the quality of both the children’s academic and other achievements, as well as the quality of their personal development.

Headmistress Karen Cordon said: "I am absolutely thrilled that St Margaret’s has been graded ‘excellent’ across the board. We could not be more pleased with the way the inspection team captured the ethos of the school and in particular the essence and the spirit of the children.

"The children excelled during the Inspection visit and the relationships that they enjoy with each other and with the staff, coupled with their enthusiasm for learning, is evident throughout the report. I am extremely proud of them and thank them for participating with such passion. Further, my warmest congratulations and thanks must be extended to the staff, because this outcome reflects their commitment, not only to the children but to every aspect of school life here at St Margaret’s.’

The inspectors were particularly full of praise for the way in which the children evaluated their own learning and said: "Pupils of all ages display very high levels of self-knowledge, self-esteem, self-confidence and resilience.

"Their outstanding personal development is underpinned by excellent pastoral care and a high level of commitment by all staff to support the individual needs of every pupil.

"All pupils understand how to improve their own learning through regular opportunities provided for reflection on their own performance, as part of the whole-school effective learning skills programme."

The report also said that children made excellent progress throughout the school and that they were highly successful in gaining their first choice places at senior schools, often with scholarships and awards.

A second part of the inspection focused on regulatory compliance and St Margaret’s passed all aspects, including safeguarding, recruitment and health and safety. Mrs Cordon said: "St Margaret’s policies and procedures are robust and of the highest possible quality and consequently all regulatory aspects were met."