TWO of the borough's schools are celebrating together after receiving glowing reports from Government inspectors.

Potter's House independent nursery school and Little Acorns Pre-school were both awarded top grades for care and the standard of education as a result of Ofsted inspections conducted in February.

Both reports, by different inspection teams, praised the quality of care offered by the schools, and the range of resources, activities and provisions at both sites.

Head inspector for Potter's House, Jane Berry noted that the children are making good progress towards early learning goals, adding: "The planning and organisation of the curriculum is very effective. Staff have a very sound knowledge of the early learning goals.

"Staff know the children well and ensure that individual needs are met by providing appropriate and stimulating challenges."

The report also applauded the principles instilled in pupils at the school: "The centre is a valuable community resource, and is founded in Christian principles, thus nurturing a caring ethos."

Although provisions at the school were widely praised, inspectors stated that opportunities for large-scale indoor play and exercise should be improved at the site.

The school has 27 children on its roll between the ages of two and eight.

Little Acorns, at Parkhills Community Centre in Horne Street, also offers "high quality provision which helps children to make very good progress towards early learning goals" according to the report, and is described as "a rich learning environment".

Head of the inspection team, Jannet Richards said: "The teaching is very good. The staff are skilled at questioning children to encourage their learning. They treat the children with kindness and respect and foster this attitude in the children.

"The learning environment is very well organised with an excellent range of resources which are easily accessible to support children's learning."

Staff at the school were also commended for encouraging children to be considerate toward each other.

Mrs Richards said that the "small friendly setting and supportive staff all contribute to help children settle and feel confident in the pre-school environment."

There were no shortfalls highlighted in the report, but inspectors urged staff to improve the partnership with parents by allowing them opportunities to contribute to children's assessments.

Little Acorns currently has 25 children on its roll, between the ages of two and five.

Jill Mallen, a former pupil at Potter's House who set up Little Acorns, and Mary Mitchell, head of Potter's House school, both attribute their success to a shared Christian ethos, which they believe nurtures a caring educational environment.

Mrs Mitchell said: "We are very pleased to receive another excellent Ofsted report and look forward to continuing links with Little Acorns Pre-School."

Mrs Mallen said. "It was our first Ofsted report and we are absolutely thrilled. The inspector said she rarely gave top marks, but that she had no choice but to give them to Little Acorns.

"We always knew we offered a quality service, and it's great to get that positive feedback from them."