BANBURY'S newest school is one of the best in the UK after its first Ofsted report described it as outstanding in all areas.

The report put Hanwell Fields Community School in the top ten per cent in the country.

Government inspector Catherine Munt said the school "couldn't be much better". The only negative comment was that some children were less proficient at maths than they were at English.

The primary school opened in September 2003 with just 29 pupils, and now has 189 - with a waiting list for places.

School governor Nicholas Turner said: "The report was glowing. For it to go straight into the UK's top ten per cent is a massive tribute to headteacher Jane Haggit and her staff.

"Mrs Haggit has been dynamic right from the start, and this report is a just reward for her."

Mrs Haggit said: "We have worked hard to establish a school that gives all pupils the best possible chance to reach their individual potential. Children enjoy the broad and active curriculum that we offer and the progress they make is extremely good.

"The report is a tribute to the continued hard work of all of the staff, governors, and pupils at Hanwell Fields."

Catherine Munt, one of the Ofsted inspectors said: "There isn't much that could be better, but I noticed that some of the boys and girls in Years 4, 5, and 6 don't do quite as well in mathematics as they do in reading and writing."

The school received a grade one (outstanding) mark in every category of the inspection - overall effectiveness, achievements and standards, personal development and well-being, teaching and learning, curriculum and other activities, leadership and management, and care, guidance, and support.

Some of the high points revealed in the report were that pupils got on well together, and were taught extremely effectively in lessons that were interesting and great fun.

Pupils were said to work hard and achieve well, especially in literacy - and were learning how to be useful members of the community.

The report said that nursery and reception classes were exciting areas in which to play and learn, and that pupils' behaviour was good.

Pupils of all ages gelled into a friendly and supportive team who are very proud of their school and thoroughly enjoy all it has to offer.

The high quality of teaching and learning is an outstanding feature of the school. Positive behaviour management approaches are most effective in maintaining a constructive learning atmosphere where children settle to work quickly and effectively.

It added: "The headteacher and deputy head lead the school well and teachers and other staff help to make the school outstanding"

Looking ahead, Mr Turner said: "This is a great start for the school. The task now is to maintain and improve the terrific standard that has been set. The foundations have been laid for a great future and I know Jane and her team will strive for perfection.

"The people who will gain are the pupils."