A primary school is in high spirits after a recent Ofsted inspection.

Molehill Primary Academy in Hereford Road, Maidstone currently boasts a ‘Good’ rating but after a recent inspection, the regulator suggests a future visit could result in an Outstanding rating.

The school, which is part of Leigh Academies Trust, had an ungraded inspection across two days on June 13 and 14 to make sure they could still be classed as a Good school, a rating they received in January 2018.

This latest report revealed that students are “extremely happy and confident” and “behave exceptionally well” while the leaders “ensure pupils have many opportunities to develop their own interests” and provide a “broad and highly ambitious curriculum.”

Commenting on the inspection, principal Laura Smith said: “This is the best possible result for Molehill Primary Academy and recognises the whole academy community for their dedication, enthusiasm and relentless hard work.

“The entire process was very robust and rigorous, taking into consideration the views of parents, carers, pupils, staff, governors and Trust leaders; alongside observations of teaching, break and lunchtimes and every element of our daily work at the academy.

“Our pupils, staff and school are, as described by the inspector, exceptional.

“We have a boundless ambition to continue to improve, with the aim of 'getting better' every day, and we are looking forward to welcoming Ofsted back to our wonderful school”.

Simon Beamish, CEO of Leigh Academies Trust said: “I am delighted that inspectors have recognised the exceptionally high standards that are now firmly embedded in the academy.

“Whilst this is the best outcome we could achieve at this stage I am confident that when inspectors return to undertake a full graded inspection they will agree with the Trust’s view that the academy is outstanding in all areas”.

Ungraded inspections were introduced when the rules over exempt schools were changed in 2020.

Schools rated Outstanding between May 15, 2012, and November 13, 2020, were exempt from routine inspections.

But a change in the rules means all Outstanding schools are now subject to a visit from the regulators, including schools which were turned into academies, every four years but won’t be given a new rating.

If it appears the performance has not been maintained, a graded inspection will happen within 12 months.