Markland Hill Primary School is held up as an example to other schools in national report

Markland Hill Primary has been held up as an example for its teaching of the very youngest pupils

The school was one of the 'successful' primaries visited by Ofsted to highlight and share good and outstanding early years foundation stage (EYFS) teaching.

The Government's education watchdog chose schools in which children, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds, achieved well to share what they are doing with other schools in its report 'Bold beginnings: The Reception curriculum in a sample of good and outstanding primary schools'.

The report states: "A good early education is the foundation for later success. For too many children, however, their reception year is a missed opportunity that can leave them exposed to all the painful and unnecessary consequences of falling behind their peers."

In Markland Hill, and the other schools visited, Ofsted found that the headteachers recognised that a 'successful reception year was fundamental to their school's success' and that they had designed their curriculum to give children the necessary 'foundations' for the rest of their schooling.

It adds: "They were clear that children's achievements up to the age of five can determine their life chances. They did not accept the view that some will 'catch up later'."

Headteacher Louise Close said: "Markland Hill was selected due to the consistently high performance of the pupils and in particular the results from EYFS and the rest of the school.

"They came to see what we were doing well and what other schools could learn from our provision and practice.

"Part of the vision for the school is to be regionally and nationally recognised as a centre of excellence for the provision of an outstanding whole life education.

"We are keen to explore any other opportunities to support educational development and further improved outcomes for all pupils as well as any other projects being undertaken by the Department for Education to improve best practice across schools."