A primary school in Thurrock has received a “good” rating following a series of Ofsted inspections.

Last week it was announced that Orsett Church of England Primary School, in Orsett, was given the second highest rating by inspectors who visited the school in November.

In the report, the 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 stated that the children are not only taught to understand what they read, but also how to love books.

This is particularly evident amongst older pupils in the school, who “talk with delight about the wide range of books they read”.

Gemma Smith, headteacher at Orsett Church of England Primary School, 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.”

Both the school and the local community are thrilled with Ofsted’s latest report, particularly given the difficult year that educational institutions have experienced as a result of the ongoing pandemic.

Mrs Smith added: “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, added: “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.”