A HEADTEACHER raced home from Sweden to be back in time for an Ofsted inspection which saw her school earn a fourth successive outstanding rating.

Jayne Smith, headteacher at Oxclose Nursery School, in Spennymoor, was overseas working on an international education programme when she got a call to say Ofsted would inspect the next day.

Miss Smith travelled through the night by plane, train, bus and car to get back to Darlington at 5.30am, ready to greet inspector Kate Pringle at 8am.

After the two-day inspection in November, Mrs Pringle described Oxclose Nursery as ‘exceptional’ and said ‘this school does extremely well to maintain the high quality of previous inspections.’

Teaching was found to be outstanding so ‘by the time children are ready to move on to reception classes, all securely attain the levels expected for their age. Many achieve levels above this’.

Improvements to the garden and the use of gymnastics facilities at Spennymoor Leisure Centre were praised.

Behaviour and safety were found to be excellent, governors were praised for ‘excellent knowledge and understanding’ and ‘rigorous challenge to school leaders’ and the teamwork and dedication of staff was praised.

And the decision to fund three apprentices to provide ‘additional support whilst enabling young people to establish careers in childcare’ was highlighted.

Miss Smith said: “I am so pleased that the excellent teamwork shone through as everyone works together tirelessly to provide the best education possible for our children.”