A junior school has been given an 'outstanding' grade, the highest rating inspection body Ofsted can award.

Ardleigh Green Junior School in Hornchurch, an academy converter which teaches children aged seven to 11, was given the rating after an inspection on December 13 and 14 in 2023.

Ofsted published its report about the school on Tuesday (January 30) and commended it for a "warm" environment and "exemplary" pupil behaviour.

The school is part of Empower Learning Academy Trust, which is run by Simon London, the former headteacher of Upminster's Hall Mead School.

"Pupils enjoy coming to school and attend well," the report read. "Pupils are encouraged to celebrate their own and others’ achievements, which helps them to grow in confidence."

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The school was also praised for adapting teaching for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

"Staff skilfully adapt teaching so that pupils with SEND access the same ambitious learning opportunities as their peers," the report read.

It continued to say that pupils who needed extra support were quickly identified and given the help required, including during archery lessons for physical education classes.

Bullying was described as rare in the report and safeguarding arrangements were classed "effective."

The school converted to become an academy in December 2022.

It achieved an 'outstanding' rating in all categories: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, as well as leadership and management.

Ofsted has not previously inspected Ardleigh Green Junior School, with its new academy status, the report said.

However, Ofsted previously judged the school to be 'outstanding' before it converted.

Reading was another area the inspection body praised it for.

"Pupils enjoy daily story time and independent reading," the report read. "Pupils typically described reading as ‘a treat not a chore’."

The school was also described as a good place to work.

"Staff are proud to work here and are highly valued," it was added. "Staff wellbeing is a priority for leaders at all levels."