HIGHWOODS Community Primary School, in Colchester, has been rated “good” by Ofsted in its first inspection since becoming an academy.

The report on the school, in Tynedale Square, said: “This is a good and rapidly-improving school where pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development and their academic progress are promoted very successfully.

“Supported well by other leaders and the governing body, the headteacher and senior leaders are ambitious for the continued success of the school.”

The school became an academy in April 2013.

Inspectors sat in 21 lessons and received 76 questionnaire responses from parents.

Headteacher Nigel Hookway said: “This was the school’s first inspection since converting to an academy and has been carried out under Ofsted’s new and even more rigorous inspection criteria.

“The grading is just reward for the hard work and dedication that the children, staff, governors and parents have all put in.

“Much as we’re delighted to have maintained our ranking, the staff and governors are fully committed to striving to achieve an ‘outstanding’ ranking in our next inspection.”