A HUDDERSFIELD school has received government recognition for its outstanding work educating young people.

Ashbrow Infant and Nursery School in Sheepridge has been honoured by inspection body Ofsted in a celebratory event recognising exceptional schools in England.

It was praised for its work in helping youngsters with speech problems.

Headteacher Dora Plant attended the event in Manchester which was hosted by Chief Inspector of Education Christine Gilbert.

She said the school had earned itself a place on the annual list of outstanding providers published by Ofsted.

Every school on the list had shown an excellent quality of care, support and education to meet the needs of children and young people.

Mrs Plant said: “We work closely with the nursery charity ICAN for speech and language impairment.

“Our focus is very much on getting our children with speech and language difficulties into mainstream schools and finding ways of getting them successfully integrated without needing to have them ‘statemented’.

“We do this by early intervention and helping build their confidence. One of our key strengths is that we are a Forest school and this means that we are outdoors for much of our time. In fact if you visit you will usually find me in green wellies up to my armpits in mud.”

When Ofsted inspectors visited the school they said it provided children with a magical childhood. It also noted the inspirational, visionary leadership of Mrs Plant which it said was at the heart of this flourishing school.

The report said pupils and their families thrive in the warm atmosphere, including those pupils who have failed in other settings.

Achievement is good and aspirations high in an area of high deprivation.

It also noted that pupils in other primary schools with speech and language needs also benefited from the school's expertise.

Mrs Gilbert said: “I wholeheartedly congratulate Ashbrow Infant and Nursery School on their success and hard work in delivering such high standards.

“Excellence does not happen by chance, these providers have a real drive to inspire, challenge, and support children and young people.

“But there is no reason why everyone can’t be outstanding;

“I hope they will be a source of inspiration to others.”

There are 4,020 schools, colleges, childcare and social care providers in England judged to be outstanding in 2008-2009 – over 1,000 more than the previous year.

All those who appear on the Outstanding Providers list 2008/09 receive commemorative certificates and are can use an exclusive logo.