Staff are delighted at their school’s outstanding rating for its early years education.

Normanhurst School in Station Road, Chingford, achieved the highest rating in its March inspection by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI).

The inspectors judged the quality of education for children aged between two and five years old in nursery and reception classes and found every child is encouraged to fulfil their potential.

The report read: “Children settle quickly, feeling safe and secure. Children approach familiar adults with confidence, exhibiting much affection for key people. Staff demonstrate turn-taking and listening skills, encouraging children to emulate these.

“Children enjoy their learning and are highly motivated by engaging staff. When allowed to follow their own lines of enquiry, children are independent, active learners.”

Inspectors said it could improve by ensuring all available feedback including that of parents is taken into account to inform teacher’s lesson plans.

Head teacher Claire Osborn said: “We’re delighted and to be outstanding in each area was really lovely.I’m very lucky really to have such a lovely team. There’s excellent teamwork that exists in the school.

“We’ve really developed over the last couple of years. We’re focused on getting even better.”