TWO primary schools in Newton Aycliffe have impressed education regulator inspectors.

Ofsted reports published this month praise Sugar Hill Primary School, rated as outstanding, and Vane Road Primary School, ranked as good.

The former, on Sheraton Road, was given a rating of outstanding in all five inspection categories. Previously rated good, the school was identified as having a “highly effective team of leaders and governors” which the inspector said had enabled it to go from strength to strength.

The report stated: “Staff have risen successfully to meet the high expectations leaders have of them. Together with the outstanding teaching, the inviting curriculum and wide ranging extra-curricular activities ensure that pupils thrive and achieve highly as they move through the school.”

The inspector also found pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development was strong and commended their “exemplary behaviour” and “super” attitude to learning. Meanwhile, an inspector who visited Vane Road Primary School in September, found the school continued to be good.

Writing in the short inspection report, he stated: “The leadership team has maintained the good quality of education in the school since the last inspection. This is a happy school where pupils work hard and relish the breadth of opportunities provided for them.”

The school is praised for its strategy to improve reading skills.

And though children in early years achieve well, the inspector states “too few” reach the nationally expected standard for their age in reading, writing and maths.