AS the year draws to a close we have taken a look back at the schools and nurseries in Basingstoke and Deane that currently have an 'outstanding' Ofsted grading.

Teachers and staff at educational establishments across the borough work incredibly hard all year round to educate children and teenagers.

We have put together a list of those that have made the top grading.

The areas that are inspected are the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management and early years provision. The school was also rated as 'outstanding' in its previous inspection.

Basingstoke Gazette: Students in a classroom Students in a classroom (Image: PA)

READ MORE: Little Tots Nursery in Tadley rated as outstanding

Marnel Community Infant School

The school, in Shetland Road, was inspected this year on Tuesday, March 21 and Wednesday, March 22 and on Friday, May 19 the education watchdog published a report on the inspection which revealed that the school retained its 'outstanding' grade.

Inspectors first graded it in the top category in 2010.

Staff were praised for being "wonderfully ambitious" and teaching "inspirational lessons" meaning that "pupils flourish" at the school.

The report states: "Leaders have created a culture where everyone wants to be their best in everything they do. Their good work extends beyond the school gates and into the community. Staff feel incredibly proud. Parents and carers are full of praise for the school."

St Mary's Church of England Voluntary Aided Junior School

Inspectors paid a visit to the school, in Belle Vue Road, Old Basing, in 2021 in November, later publishing a report awarding the school the highest ranking. This was an improvement on its previous 2015 report which gave it a grade of 'good'.

Basingstoke Gazette: St Mary's Church of England Voluntary Aided Junior SchoolSt Mary's Church of England Voluntary Aided Junior School (Image: Google Maps)

The report states: "Pupils are proud to be part of the ‘one family’ in this school. They enjoy the strong friendships they form and the considerate ways that pupils treat each other. Pupils feel safe in this school. They know how to keep healthy and safe, including when they are online."

Staff were also given credit by the inspector for helping "pupils to understand the high behaviour expectations" giving the students "extremely positive attitudes".

The Loddon School

The Loddon School, in Wildmoor Lane, Sherfield on Loddon, was visited by Ofsted between Tuesday, November 1 and Thursday, November 3, 2022, maintaining its 'outstanding' grade. 

Inspectors were impressed with the school because students "thrive emotionally, socially and academically".

Basingstoke Gazette: The Loddon SchoolThe Loddon School (Image: Google Maps)

The report states: "Relationships between staff and pupils are extremely kind and caring. What others might see as a tiny step, can often be a great challenge for pupils. The way that staff enable pupils to overcome these challenges is impressive."

School leaders were also given a lot of credit, the report adds: "Leaders have created a highly nurturing and safe environment. Leaders have high expectations. There are hardly any incidents of unkind behaviour".

SEE ALSO: Column by MP Maria Miller on schools in Basingstoke

Hook Infant School and Hook Junior School

The infant school, in Church View, was last visited by Ofsted inspectors in March 2015 where it was given the highest grade, an improvement from its previous 'good' rating.

Staff at the school were praised for their 'outstanding' and "inspiring" teaching.

The report states: "The school’s very strong partnerships with parents contribute to the school’s success. Parents are very appreciative of all the school does for their children."

Basingstoke Gazette: Hook Junior SchoolHook Junior School (Image: Google Maps)

The junior school was last visited by inspectors this year on Tuesday, June 13 and Wednesday, June 14.

The school retained its 'outstanding' rating, which it has held since its last report in 2017.

Inspectors picked out some of the best things about the school including the fact that "leaders expect the best for and from every pupil", "pupils are highly enthusiastic about their learning" and they "behave impeccably".

Overton Church of England Primary School

The school, in Court Drove, was last graded as 'outstanding' when inspectors visited in July 2015, a grading it has held since 2011.

The report states: "All pupils, including those who are eligible for additional funding, the most able pupils and those who are disabled or have special educational needs, make outstanding progress."

The report also said that a high "proportion of pupils" take part in a "wide range of additional activities" outside the classroom.

The leadership and management of the school was also given high praise.

Testbourne Community School (Whitchurch)

Testbourne Community School, in Micheldever Road, has retained the top grading since its last report which was published in 2010.

The school was given particular credit for its curriculum.

The report reads: "The personal development of the students throughout the school i s excellent. Rigorous self-evaluation and meticulous planning have ensured that the school now has an outstanding curriculum which motivates and engages students in their learning."

Staff were praised for making a big improvement since the previous report which rated the school as 'good'.

The report continues: "The excellent quality of leadership and management in driving the school forward has been the key to the improvements made since the last inspection."

Little Tots Nursery in Tadley

Little Tots Nursery, White Lion Court, was rated 'outstanding' in its latest report, which was completed earlier this year by inspectors on Monday, April 27.

In the report, the manager of the nursery has been praised for her 'inspirational' dedication to supporting staff members and prioritising their "wellbeing and professional development'.

The report reads: "The manager and staff have created an ambitious curriculum, which is securely embedded across the nursery.

"They have a firm vision of what they want children to learn and why. Staff are confident and knowledgeable in the curriculum and the signs of successful learning. Children's learning experiences build their knowledge over time."

If we have missed your school or nursery please do lets us know.