A primary school has been rated “good” by education inspectors for the first time in its history.

Ofsted visited the Archbishop Courtenay Church of England Primary School, in Maidstone, last month after previously saying it “required improvement” in 2019.

In its inspector’s report, the school, in Eccleston Road, Tovil, was awarded “good” in all areas including quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management and early years provision.

It praised the pupils’ “calm and orderly behaviour” and said it allows them to “concentrate and learn well”.

It added the children are quick to welcome new arrivals and make them feel part of the school community and are “happy, kind and considerate to each other.”

The report also highlighted that the students enjoy coming up with and planning their own ideas, such as an International Day to celebrate different cultures.

The inspectors said leaders are “ambitious for all to achieve well” but did highlight some gaps in pupils’ knowledge in some foundation subjects.

Despite this, it added reading was a “strength of the school” and there is a “robust approach to teaching phonics".

Although those in school benefit from the high expectations, the report said not enough pupils attend regularly but this is being addressed by leaders who “recognise the need to redouble their efforts”.

It also highlighted room for improvement in middle leaders reviewing the impact and implementation of their curriculum so students benefit from responsive changes.

The “good” rating is a dramatic turnaround for the school, which has just over 300 pupils aged between four and 11, as it has never achieved this before.

Head teacher Sue Heather said: “As a staff team, we have dedicated ourselves to making our wonderful school a place of hope and aspiration and to nurturing our children with kindness and compassion.”

Chief executive of Aquila Diocese of Canterbury Academies Trust, which runs the primary, Annie Wiles, added: “This is a testament to the hard work of the whole Archbishop Courtenay Primary School community.

“The staff care deeply about every pupil and are determined to do their very best for them.”