A MUCH-IMPROVED school which was once condemned as failing is bringing Latin lessons to its classrooms in an effort to push up standards.

Ofsted recently rated Thameside Primary School, Grays, “good with some “outstanding aspects” after its first inspection since its infant and junior schools merged in 2012.

Headteacher Christina Pumfrey is hoping to further raise standards, by introducing Latin to the curriculum.

She said: “Latin is the base language for so many others, and understanding the principles of Latin will help children to learn other languages, develop knowledge of grammar and use this knowledge for their A-Level s and degrees.” Latin was dropped from most schools when the National Curriculum came in 1988, though some secondary schools persisted with it.

This term, Thameside has signed up for the Cambridge University Press Minimus Latin course for younger children.

It teaches youngsters the language through stories about a real family who lived at Vindolanda, near Hadrian’s Wall, in 100AD.

Pupils aged seven and older are learning Latin and the school building now has signs right through it in Latin and English.

Happy Birthday will be sung in Latin by each class to celebrate pupils’ birthdays.

Barbara Bell, author of the Minimus books, said: “Teachers have reported improvements in literacy as a result of taking up Latin at schools. It’s only anecdotal evidence, but it seems to help pupils with modern foreign languages and literacy.

“Thameside has really embraced it thoroughly and enthusiastically.

“There’s a real buzz and excitement. Latin is a really useful subject – it’s a complete myth that no one speaks it and it’s useless.”

Carmel Littleton, Thurrock’s director of children’s services, said: “It’s typical of the innovative approaches Christina has used to transform the school to ‘good’ in such a short time.”

July’s Osted inspection praised leadership and teaching at the school and highlighted the way teachers managed pupils’ behaviour.

The report criticises the marking of pupils’ work for not always making it it clear how they can improve and suggests improvements to the way teachers mark work and assess pupils’ progress.

It is in stark contrast to a 2010 inspection, which ruled Thameside Junior school to be failing and put it in special measures.