A TILBURY school has been congratulated by the Secretary of State after receiving a “good” in their first ever Ofsted report.

Gateway Primary Free School, on Marshfoot Road, only opened in September 2013, and the grading – the second highest available from the education watchdog – bucks a trend that has seen nine Thurrock primary schools rated as “require improvement” since May 2013.

The school, which earlier this month celebrated moving into a new multi-million pound building on the site of the Gateway Academy, currently houses pupils in foundation year and year six.

Further year groups will enter the school in September ready for the new academic year.

The report found that pupil’s achievements at the school were good; that pupil’s progress in reading was outstanding, with many making two years progress in just two terms; year six pupils are on track to match national outcomes in English and maths despite starting at a lower level, and that the teaching in the school is consistently good.

Secretary of State Lord Nash said the school is an excellent example of how the free school programme offers a high standard of education.

He added: “I congratulate staff and pupils at Gateway Primary Free School on the publication of their first Ofsted report.

“Achieving this rating in only their second year of opening is a great achievement and all down to the hard work and determination of the teachers and pupils at the school.

“I am particularly impressed by the glowing comments Ofsted has made about the progress of the year six pupils in reading, writing and maths and by the fact that pupils who are eligible for the pupil premium are matching the achievements of their peers.”

See this Thursday’s Gazette for more on Ofsted and their recent blitz on education in the borough.