An alien landing and a visit by "The Queen" have helped a once-struggling primary school propel itself to the top of the pile.

Feltham Hill Infant and Nursery School was rated "requires improvement" after a visit by Ofsted inspectors in October 2013.

But a dramatic turnaround saw the school in Bedfont Road, Feltham , achieve top marks in all areas in its latest Ofsted report, published on March 16 this year.

Pupils host a tea party for 'the Queen' at Feltham Hill Infant and Nursery School

The "outstanding" school prides itself on being different, which is why inspectors arrived in February to find aliens had apparently crash-landed in the playground.

The spacecraft, surrounded by police tape, was part of the school's unique approach to education .

Students wrote to British astronaut Tim Peake

Headteacher Angela White and her staff encourage pupils to learn through experience by creating realistic scenarios to fuel their interest and imagination.

The alien landing was the launch pad for them to learn about the planets, solve mathematical problems left by the aliens and even pen a letter to British astronaut Tim Peake at the International Space Station.

A visit last autumn by a doppelganger for Her Majesty saw children learning the National Anthem and baking treats for a tea party in her honour.

A dance workshop with artists behind the hit West End show Stomp, a demonstration from a real lifeboat crew and the chance to walk among the dinosaurs during another workshop are just some of the other recent activities.

Ms White said: "We're really pleased Ofsted agreed with our judgement that we're outstanding in all areas and relentlessly working to drive through improvements.

'Her love and passion for this school is second to none'

"I'm particularly glad they acknowledged what a happy school this is, and the report is a massive well done to all our staff, governors, parents and children, who work so hard."

Feltham Hill's novel methods have already led to visits from schools as far afield as Oxford by staff keen to copy its formula for success.

The RNLI at Feltham Hill Infant and Nursery School

Ofsted inspectors hailed the quality of teaching, the "impeccable" behaviour of pupils and the level of support from "ambitious" governors, but they reserved special praise for the woman who has overseen the transformation.

"The school has regained its vision, direction and high-quality teaching and learning since the appointment of the new headteacher. Her love and passion for this school is second to none," they wrote in the report.