A west Suffolk primary school is celebrating after Ofsted inspectors found it was moving towards the top rating of 'outstanding'. 

The education watchdog visited Kedington Primary Academy, near Haverhill, in July for an ungraded inspection. 

The inspectors found the school retained its 'good' rating given in March 2019, but also identified that the evidence gathered suggests the next graded inspection could be outstanding if it were carried out now.

The report, published on September 19, said the pupils' behaviour was "exemplary" and pupils "delight in coming to school".

It read: “Classrooms are awash with learning because pupils have highly positive attitudes toward their work. Classrooms are vibrant, happy places.

“While pupils have much fun and laughter with their friends, they know that when play stops and work starts, they are expected to concentrate and try their best. This is exactly what they do." 

Inspectors paid tribute to the "culture support, saying: "Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) achieve exceptionally well."

Following the report executive headteacher, Vicky Doherty, and head of school, Hayley Ahlquist, said: “We were delighted to receive a 'good' rating and the suggestion that Kedington Primary Academy could achieve ‘outstanding’ just motivates the staff even more to keep enhancing the education we provide to our children.

“This report is testimony to all the hard work of staff, students, families and our school community and we thank them all.

“It perfectly highlighted our school offer, not just the academic success but also the nurturing and enriching opportunities we give to children.”

Tim Coulson, of Unity Schools PartnershipTim Coulson, of Unity Schools Partnership (Image: Unity Schools Partnership)

Tim Coulson, chief executive of Unity Schools Partnership of which Kedington is a member, said: “Not only is the trust delighted at the acknowledgment of success at Kedington Primary Academy, we are very proud that this is happening at the same time as the school is working closely with Steeple Bumpstead Primary.

“The two schools have a shared leadership structure with Vicky Doherty leading both schools and this is paying dividend at both Kedington and Steeple.”