An assistant head teacher who died suddenly before Christmas has been remembered after her former school achieved top marks in its latest Ofsted.

Wife and mother Jo White, 40, taught at Green Park Community Primary School and left at the end of the autumn term to become head teacher at a specialist school in Ringwould.

Tragically she died days later but her hard work and dedication was highlighted this week when the school gained an outstanding grade for overall effectiveness and in all five sub-categories.

Head teacher Richard Hawkins said: “It’s terribly sad that Jo isn’t here to celebrate this achievements but her spirit continues in everything we do here.”

Inspectors visited the school at The Linces, Buckland, during two days in February. Its previous grade was good overall.

The Ofsted report said: “Pupils at Green Park are great ambassadors for their outstanding school.

“They love the school, take great pride in their achievements and enjoy all that they do.”

“The head teacher provides outstanding and inspirational leadership for the school. He is very well supported by the deputy head.”

The inspectors also said that teachers and teaching assistants had excellent relationships with pupils.

The report said: “They know how individual pupils learn best and tailor planning to meet their needs exceptionally well.

“As a result pupils work hard and are resilient learners and want to do well.”

Mr Hawkins said: “This is a fantastic vindication of the hard work everybody involved with the school puts in.

“Green Park’s journey from a difficult start in 2008 to now has been amazing and could not have been achieved without the dedicated team here.”

The school in its inspection that November had only got the third overall grading of satisfactory.

Former Dover Grammar School for Girls pupil Mrs White was described by Mr Hawkins as a shining star when news of her death was reported.

She lived in Church Street, Walmer, and was married to John White, also a teacher at Green Park.

The couple have two children, Max 16 and Ollie, 12 and the family has strong links to Deal & Betteshanger Rugby Club.

Her determination saw her train as a teacher while pregnant with their youngest son and she had worked her way up from class teacher to assistant head in eight years.