A Chester village primary school and nursery has been hailed as Outstanding by Ofsted inspectors.

Pupils spoke with "tremendous enthusiasm about their determination to make the school the best that it can be" at Kelsall Primary and Nursery School, inspectors found in their February visit, the results of which have now been publicly posted on the Ofsted website.

It was the inspectors' first visit to the school, whose headteacher is David Wearing, since its conversion to an academy. Its former guise Kelsall Community Primary was also judged as Outstanding, the top possible rating, back in 2012.

Inspectors noted of the Cheshire Academies Trust school: "Pupils relish being part of the ‘Kelsall Crew’ and do all that they can to make the school a happy and safe place to learn", and "pupils achieve exceptionally well across a broad range of subjects." 

The inspection team added: "Corridors are abuzz with pupils sharing their favourite books with a sense of excitement. This is because the school makes reading a priority. 

"From the nursery classes, children develop the key listening skills that they need to start the phonics programme with gusto."

Youngsters at the school also "aspire to be ‘daring and different’. They have the confidence to take risks, knowing that they learn the most from their mistakes", and "have a strong desire that everyone should be treated the same and with equal respect."

Inspectors added that, at the 253-pupil school: "From those responsible for governance through to pupils, there is a deep-rooted desire that pupils should have every opportunity to be the best that they can be. 

"This means that pupils time in school is highly memorable and incredibly successful."