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An Ofsted report published today showcases 20 primary schools in very challenging circumstances that have been rated 'outstanding' at least twice. It is written for all primary schools to use and help them achieve success.

The 20 schools, from across England, defy the association of disadvantage with low standards. They serve communities where pupils come from poorer urban backgrounds and an above average proportion receives free school meals.

The report, Twenty outstanding primary schools - Excelling against the odds, shows they succeed by having the highest expectations for every pupil and staff member. It follows a similar report launched earlier this year that looked at the ingredients that lead to outstanding secondary schools.

Her Majesty's Chief Inspector, Christine Gilbert said:

'Through their passion and professionalism these schools provide great service to children and young people. They show other schools how they can reduce the achievement gap between pupils from different backgrounds.

'Children are treated as individuals and have the support and expectation to achieve. Staff are passionate about finding ways of doing things better, with a relentless focus on progress in children’s learning. High quality leadership ensures no effort is spared to give pupils a strong foundation.

'It is our aim at Ofsted to identify and share better practice to support improvement. Many of the stories in this report are inspiring. They show how schools, regardless of their context can help young people make something of their lives. I hope that other schools will find it useful and inspiring too.'

The report found that schools sustain their excellence by continually seeking to improve teaching and learning. The quality of staff, teamwork and leadership is essential. They appoint and develop staff who can achieve consistently high standards.

A school in Barking and Dagenham for example does not use general supply teachers but well qualified local experienced teachers including a local ex deputy head to retain continuity. In turning a Wandsworth school round, the headteacher found many teachers left when they realised what would be expected of them. The new staff recruited were focussed on making the necessary changes.

Skilled and perceptive work enables the schools to achieve good behaviour, trust of parents and support of the community. Effective daily contact and interaction with parents and carers helps open the gates to learning for pupils. One Tower Hamlets school has a dedicated staff member to co-ordinate partnership with parents while another in Calderdale involves pupils and parents in the drawing up of the code of conduct for behaviour, giving a copy to every family.

Despite facing tough challenges themselves, the schools share their excellence with others through outreach and partnerships. They demonstrate how to make teaching consistently effective and emphasise the importance of assessment, showing how to analyse data effectively to track pupil progress.

Ofsted will be highlighting the success of these schools with a series of photo opportunities around the country on Friday 2 October. Media are invited to events in Westminster, Derbyshire and Halifax. Further details are available from the Ofsted press office.

1. The report, Twenty outstanding primary schools - Excelling against the odds, can be found on the Ofsted website, www.ofsted.gov.uk/publications/090170.

2. The report was compiled by Her Majesty’s Inspectors working with Dr Peter Matthews, a consultant and former senior HMI.

3. The Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills (Ofsted) regulates and inspects to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

4. The Ofsted Press Office can be contacted on 08456 4040404 between 8am – 6pm Monday – Friday. During evenings and weekends we can be reached on 07919 057359.

5. The 20 exceptionally successful primary schools in the report are:

Infant schools

• Cotmanhay Infant School, Derbyshire
• Ramsden Infant School, Cumbria
• World’s End Infant and Nursery School,
  Birmingham

Junior schools

• Berrymede Junior School, Ealing
• Cubitt Town Junior School, Tower Hamlets
• William Ford Church of England Junior School, Barking and Dagenham

Full-range primary schools

• Ash Green Primary School, Calderdale
• Banks Road Primary School, Liverpool
• Bonner Primary School, Tower Hamlets
• Gateway Primary School, Westminster
• John Burns Primary School, Wandsworth
• Michael Faraday School, Southwark
• St John the Divine Church of England Primary School, Lambeth
• St Monica’s Catholic Primary School, Sefton
• St Paul’s Peel Church of England Primary School, Salford
• St Sebastian’s Catholic Primary School and Nursery, Liverpool
• Shiremoor Primary School, North Tyneside
• Simonswood Primary School, Knowsley
• The Orion Primary School, Barnet
• Welbeck Primary School, Nottingham