The headteacher at Oswestry’s Marches School has paid tribute to staff after it was the only secondary in Shropshire to be graded as ‘outstanding’ in Ofsted’s annual report.

The school was commended in Ofsted’s 2010/11 report and appears for the second time in the educational watchdog’s Outstanding Providers List.

Headteacher Sarah Longville said: “At the Marches School, the staff, students, parents, governors and our community partners work hard to keep moving learning forward.

“It is an honour to be recognised in the annual Ofsted report as an outstanding school and we are all thrilled that our hard work has been recognised.”

The school is the only secondary in the county on the list. Newport Infant School and Church Aston Infant School were the only schools in the Telford & Wrekin Council area to get the top accolade from Ofsted.

Ofsted inspectors visited the Marches School in September last year, visiting 39 lessons and observing 33 teachers.

They held meetings with members of the governing body, staff and groups of pupils.

Mrs Longville said: “Inspectors observed the school’s work, the arrangements in place to safeguard pupils and looked at its improvement plan and self-evaluation, as well as assessment and tracking data that teachers use to monitor pupils’ progress.

“It was stated that the success of the school is largely attributable to highly effective leadership, good teaching and an outstanding curriculum that is enhanced by the school’s extensive partnerships with schools, colleges and businesses.”

The award completes a memorable year for the school, one of Shropshire’s largest.

A new chapter began in September when it opened its doors for the autumn term as an academy.