A school is celebrating Ofsted success, thanks to “determined leadership” and more effective governors.

St Paul’s C of E Primary School in School Lane, Swanley, required improvement, but the results of the latest published Ofsted inspection show it is now rated ‘good’ across all areas – from leadership to results and behaviour.

Inspector Liz Bowes noted in her report: “The school has continued its rapid improvement under the determined leadership of the new head of school.

“Staff are committed and well trained. They provide a good quality of education.

“Pupils make good progress in reading, writing and mathematics. At the end of Year 2, they attain significantly above national expectations.

“The governing body is more effective than at the time of the last inspection. The review of its working practices resulted in governors effectively holding leaders to account for the school’s performance.”

This week, chairman of governors David Strachan said: “This is well-deserved recognition of the improvements that have been made, and we are all really proud and pleased with this result.”

The curriculum was described as exciting, and the pupils well behaved and eager to learn.

Louise Grasby, acting head of school, who has been in post since January, said: “I am delighted that Ofsted recognised the hard work and dedication of our team of committed staff, our super pupils and the supportive parents and governors, who all work together to ensure that St Paul’s is a ‘good’ school.”

To improve further and become outstanding, the school must take further action to assess pupils’ progress more rigorously to make sure all the children are challenged, and develop their spelling, punctuation and grammar.

The school will be holding open days in October and November for parents who are interested in enrolling their children for the reception intake in September 2017.

Our Lady’s Catholic Primary School in Dartford has also been judged ‘good’ by Ofsted after an inspection on Tuesday, May 24.

It was the first short inspection carried out since the school was considered ‘good’ in February 2012.