A BOROUGH school has been celebrating the announcement that it has started the new year with a 'good' rating following an Ofsted inspection.

Orsett Church of England Primary School, which is part of the Diocese of Chelmsford Vine Schools Multi-Academy Trust, was visited by inspectors in late November and, while the outcome of their visit was known before Christmas to school staff, it has now been made public.

In their report, inspectors praised the dedication of the school's leadership team, commenting that the staff are "ambitious for all pupils to receive a high-quality education. In particular, pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive strong, effective support."

The report also took special note of the school's reading scheme, which has seen many of its pupils learn to read with fluency and confidence. Inspectors said it was clear that children are not only taught to understand what they read, but also how to love books. They added this is particularly evident among older pupils in the school, who "talk with delight about the wide range of books they read".

Headteacher Gemma Smith said: "I am absolutely delighted with our report. Finishing the year in the knowledge that we provide a high-quality education and experience for our community was a great Christmas present and a wonderful culmination to our year.

"I'm so proud of everything the team at Orsett has achieved despite challenging circumstances, and we look forward to continuing our school improvement journey over the coming months and years."

Emma Wigmore, CEO of the Vine Schools Trust, currently supports 23 primary schools across the East of England, said: "We are so proud of both the staff and children at the school for their hard work and dedication. I particularly loved the section of Ofsted's report that discusses the kindness and support shown by the children, as these align perfectly with the Trust's core Christian values."