A New Addington primary school, which earned an outstanding Ofsted report last year, has been praised as one of the country's most successful.

As part of his annual report last Wednesday, chief inspector of schools David Bell, named Fairchildes Primary School as one of 393 with outstanding inspection reports in 2003/04.

The report also noted that Beckmead Community School, run by Croydon local education authority, had improved so much it could be removed from special measures.

The school in Fairchildes Avenue, which has around 465 pupils on its roll, was inspected in May 2004.

Headteacher Ros Sandwell said: "We are absolutely delighted. When the letter came last week explaining that we would be in his report it was an added bonus."

The inspection report said the school provided a very good education for pupils because staff were totally committed.

Pupils' behaviour was also praised, as was their attitude to learning.