WHILE many pupils can't wait for the school bell to ring, seven-year-old Oisin O'Maolain dreads weekends because he cannot go to class.Such is the Abbots Green Primary pupil's passion for school that life without the Bury St Edmunds learning centre makes him miserable.

WHILE many pupils can't wait for the school bell to ring, seven-year-old Oisin O'Maolain dreads weekends because he cannot go to class.

Such is the Abbots Green Primary pupil's passion for school that life without the Bury St Edmunds learning centre makes him miserable.

He is just one of the pupils at Abbots Green who simply loves being there. His case was highlighted by education inspectors who lavished praise on staff at the two-year-old school for having many “outstanding” aspects and for developing “a very good creative curriculum”.

Capacity to improve, pupil development, leadership and performance monitoring at the school were all judged “outstanding” following the Ofsted visit in February this year.

The school's management team claim the reason children love being in class is that the entire ethos is based on what interests the children

Amy Arnold and Alex Bedford, who are the school's management team, said weekends for children like Oisin were difficult and holidays still more so.

Ms Arnold said: “He simply loves being in school. On the weekends he simply can't wait for Monday.”

She added: “What is very different about this schools is our topics are based around the pupils' needs and interests.

“We find out what they already know, then we ask them what they really want to know about. For example, we've just had a project on fairies, wizards and giants and we've made a 21ft giant.”

Mr Bedford said: “We've modelled the school in everything schools should aspire to. The report is fantastic, it really is an accolade to all the staff, the parents, the children and the governors.”

In his report, lead Ofsted inspector Geoff Timms said: “One parent said that her child is often unhappy at the weekend because he cannot go to school. A major focus of the school's development has been on pupils' personal and social development and their care.

“These are clearly outstanding aspects of the school's work and this success is helping turn pupils into confident and enthusiastic learners.

“Pupils love being at school and make good use of facilities such as the multi-sensory room.”

laurence.cawley@eadt.co.uk