STAFF and pupils are celebrating after their school was judged good overall with some outstanding features by the UK's education watchdog.
Ofsted upped its previous judgement of satisfactory to good after its inspectors visited West Horndon Primary School.
In fact, they were so impressed with the behaviour and safety of pupils that they awarded that area as grade one outstanding.
Also given the top level was the work the school does to develop pupils' self-esteem through social, moral, spiritual and cultural education. All other areas were judged to be good.
The judgement is the perfect start to the school's 50th anniversary celebrations, which get underway later this year.
Head teacher Matt O'Grady is particularly pleased with the outstanding judgements as they are on "two areas very close to my heart."
He said: "I am very proud of our school and its children.
"I am especially pleased that we have been able to achieve this outcome without compromising on the wide range of experiences that I believe we should offer as part of a child's educational journey through primary school.
"I would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank my colleagues for their professionalism and dedication, and the way they consistently work to achieve the best outcomes for our children."
In response to a questionnaire, nearly all parents said that they would recommend the school.
One said: "The passion that spills from the teachers into children is priceless and obvious for all to see."
Inspectors praised pupil's progress in all years from the Reception to Year Six and the way older pupils work with younger ones.
In their report they note: "Pupils are extremely polite and behave very well because care and support from staff are excellent."
Mr O'Grady was praised for his "good leadership" with the result that "all staff are working energetically to improve the school, and have made it an exciting place for pupils to learn in the classroom and outside areas such as the school's woodland".
Ofsted advised staff that they should work harder on pupils' individual targets, teacher's targets and keeping parents better informed of their children's progress to improve the school further.
