Kind, polite, and well behaved pupils took a starring role in a glowing Ofsted report for an academy in Gravesend – less than two years after it was rated ‘inadequate’.

Chantry Community Academy did not fare well with inspectors back in May 2015, but its fortunes have been reversed under the stewardship of the Greenacre Academy Trust and head teacher Kathryn Duncan.

The school was found to have “serious weaknesses” when run by the Meopham Community Academies Trust, but the new report praised “a considerable upturn in the school’s performance and in the quality of its work in the past year”.

Inspector Julie Sackett said that teaching had improved rapidly, as had staff morale, and that pupils were benefitting from a varied curriculum and the promotion of good values.

More than 25 languages are spoken by the school’s 378 pupils, who are described as “kind, friendly, and polite”, and who “work hard and are keen to do their best”.

Head Mrs Duncan is praised for her “determined and unwavering focus on improving teaching, learning and assessment”, which has helped lead to pupils’ “rapidly accelerated progress in reading, writing and mathematics”.

Children are kept safe, their behaviour is good, and those who had been underachieving are said to now be on the right track.

The report stated: “Children know that their teachers expect them to do their best, and are keen to do well. They enjoy playing together, behave very well and are proud of their achievements.

“Children enjoy school and like to learn new things. They often concentrate on tasks for extended periods of time.”

Mrs Duncan was left proud by the findings of the inspection, and thanked her staff, the children, and their parents for their hard work and support.

She said the diversity of pupils made Chantry “a special place”, adding that the report proved that “the ethos of learning is immediate the moment you step into the school”.

“This truly is a testament to the hard work and commitment of children and staff alike and of course the ongoing tremendous support from the parents,” she continued.

“We hope to report more on the continuing progress of Chantry Community Academy as it continues on its journey.”

The report did include some tips on how the school could improve further, including making sure that boys’ progress speeds up to match that of the girls.

Pupils’ understanding of texts also needs work, and attendance among some pupils – notably white British and disadvantaged children – could be better.

Overall, Chantry was rated as a “good” school, compared with its “inadequate” rating from May 2015. Chantry became an academy in June 2013.