Notre Dame Preparatory School, on Dereham Road, was rated excellent - the highest rating - by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) in its two categories - quality of pupils' achievement and personal development.

The inspection, carried out over two days during the summer term, praised the 'extremely articulate' pupils' 'positive and supportive attitudes to learning', and their 'exceptional' spiritual understanding.

Inspectors said pupils are 'curious and willing to challenge themselves', with attainment above the national average. Headmaster Kieran O'Herlihy said: 'I would like to pay tribute to the contribution made by every one of our pupils, staff, governors, parents and volunteers who all make this school what it is at the heart of this community in Norwich.

'We have received wonderful support in helping to achieve this excellent inspection report. As a school we seek to develop compassion, empathy and co-operation and encourage our pupils to look beyond themselves in order to develop spiritually and creatively.

'We all work hard to create an environment in which our pupils can grow in confidence, set goals and take risks and believe in themselves and acknowledge their own strengths and weaknesses.'

It comes after parents and pupils raised £5,186 for the Norwich-based Door to Door charity - which helps people with severe mobility issues - during the summer term through a gala ball and dinner at Norwich City Football Club.