And it is the third time Bishop Stopford School in Kettering, the only secondary school on the list, has been given the top award, having previously been identified as outstanding in 1993/4 and 2004/5.

Inspectors for Ofsted named Danesholme Infant School in Corby, Freemans Endowed Church of England Junior School in Wellingborough, Hall Meadow Primary School in Kettering and Bishop Stopford as the outstanding service providers for the 2007/8 year.

Headteacher Margaret Holman said: "This is all down to a group effort from the teachers, pupils and governers.

"I am so proud that we have been named as outstanding for the third time and to be the only secondary school on the list is a great
achievement."

The schools were highlighted in the Annual Report of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Education, Children's Services and Skills, along with 2,944 outstanding early years and childcare providers, schools, colleges and children's homes inspected over the last year.

To qualify for the top status, the inspectors must decide the school is outstanding in every aspect of academic life, from leadership, to promoting healthy lifestyles.

Simon Smith, head of Freemans Endowed Junior School, said: "The secret of our school's success is that the child lies at the heart of what we do.

"While we are keen to see excellence in the children's core studies, we cannot achieve that without excitement, motivation and fun across the whole of the curriculum.

"Freemans is also dedicated to its values, 'Be kind, be honest and forgive' which all staff and pupils commit to."

Lorraine Cullen from Hall Meadow Primary School, in Packer Road, Kettering, added: "From here we have to go onwards and upwards.

"We are aiming to keep the children interested as they prepare for their next steps in education, which was highlighted as one of our strengths."

Angels Nursery School in Kettering, Croyland Children's Centre and Nursery School in Wellingborough, Isham Pre-School Playgroup in Kettering and Our Lady's Pre-School in Wellingborough were named top providers for nursery-aged children in the county.