by Kathie McInnes

A SCHOOL where children as young as four help plan their own lessons has been described as "outstanding" by inspectors.

May Bank Infants' School, in May Bank, Newcastle, has achieved a perfect run of 33 top marks in its latest Ofsted report.

The ratings reflect excellent standards in everything from teaching, leadership and support through to children's progress, attendance and behaviour.

One of the striking features of life at the school is the way staff give youngsters responsibility for helping to design the curriculum.

Class teachers come up with topics they have to study, but pupils are then asked to draw up a list of questions, asking what they want to find out about each topic.

Headteacher Julie Poland said: "They do come up with some challenging questions. Staff arrange their planning around what the children want to learn. That's done from reception right the way to year two."

For a recent topic about animals, the children's questions related to what animals eat, where they get their food from, why some animals have shells, and why giraffes have long necks.

Youngsters have also planned lessons about the Great Fire of London, deciding to investigate when it started, how long the fire lasted, and which buildings were destroyed.

The work involved class discussions and pupils going off to research the answers on the internet and in books.

The Ofsted report describes lessons as "vibrant and stimulating", with "exciting practical activities", good opportunities for pupils to talk through their ideas and excellent cross-curricular links.

To help pupils learn about cultural diversity, May Bank has 'twinned' with a multi-cultural primary school, St Peter's Catholic Primary in Cobridge, and they organise exchange visits. Pupils also go on lots of other trips to widen their horizons.

Inspectors found youngsters "thoroughly enjoy" school, are confident learners, and take pride in roles such as serving on the school council or acting as buddies.

The report says: "Children know they belong to a school that cares deeply for each one of them, and they receive excellent guidance and support for their personal and academic development."

Inspectors found teaching at May Bank has "many strengths", teaching assistants "do a sterling job", leadership and management is of a "high calibre", and staff have a "passionate desire" to ensure all youngsters succeed.

The 179-pupil school, which caters for four to seven-year-olds, also has very effective links with other agencies.

Mrs Poland said: "We were thrilled to bits with the report. When I joined this school, the big thing that impressed from the word go was the special relationship between the staff and the children."

Oliver Knight, aged six, was one of the pupils who got to speak to Ofsted during the inspection.

He said: "We also had a sheet of questions, asking us if we liked certain things at school. I put 'yes' for everything."

Cameron Hall has been looking at what the school should improve.

The seven-year-old said: "I would improve numeracy. It's quite easy and I want it to be more challenging."

More Ofsted school stories:

Outstanding Ofsted inspection for primary school

Headteacher triumphs in revival of village school

Lord Mayor lays on a lunch treat for outstanding Ofsted schools

Pupils go to the top of the class

Teddies in rush to get Ofsted approval

Story filed in: Ofsted | Education | News