A West Sussex school has been singled out for praise by Government inspectors.

St Mary's CofE First School in Washington, near Storrington, received a glowing report from Ofsted.

Headteacher Viv Earwicker said today: "We are especially pleased to have been included in the report for the second time.

"It is a very positive reflection of the hard work and commitment of everyone involved with the school - the children, staff, parents and governors."

The report singled out more than 600 schools in England that either did exceptionally well in their inspections or had made enough progress to be taken out of special measures because they are no longer considered to be failing.

A handful of schools out of 55 across the South-East were commended for excellent reports and three were highlighted for coming out of special measures - East Brighton College of Media Arts, Seaford Primary School and Ifield Middle School, Crawley.