A GIRLINGTON school has been rated as outstanding for a third successive time by inspectors.

St Edmund’s Nursery School and Children’s Centre was judged as outstanding in every category by Ofsted.

The Washington Street school was previously judged to be outstanding in December 2008 and November 2011.

The report said: “The exceptional executive headteacher continues to effectively lead the team in their aspirational goal of ‘nothing but the best will do for the children, families and staff’.”

Anne-Marie Merifield, executive head teacher, said: “The whole staff team is dedicated and committed to providing the best possible start for all our children and families.”

The report added that partnerships with parents are outstanding and praised its highly skilled and knowledgeable governors.