It is a turn up for the books for Medway primary schools after the latest round of Ofsted inspections found the majority to be outstanding or good.

Education in Medway has been struggling at the bottom of national tables at primary level and only in March our schools were below average, according to Ofsted.

But Cliffe Woods Primary School has now joined the ranks of outstanding schools following the outstanding report last week for Pilgrim Primary, in Borstal.

Also doing well are Rainham’s Park Wood Infant School in Deanwood Drive and Miers Court Primary in Silverspot Close, which were both rated good.

St John’s Infants and Burnt Oak schools also received good reports, as covered in the Medway Messenger.

The head of children’s services at Medway Council, Cllr Mike O’Brien, said: “It’s fantastic news, big congratulations to all the teaching staff, pupils and governors.

“We’ve still got a long way to go, but we know which direction we’re heading in and this shows we are making positive steps to that goal.”

The academy was good but it is now exceptional across every area, from the behaviour of the pupils to the management of the school.

Lead inspector Gay Whent said: “Achievement is excellent. Teachers have high expectations of pupils. At the end of Year 6, all groups of pupils are reaching standards which are well above the national average.

“Disadvantaged pupils make exceptional progress in their reading, writing and mathematics.

“Children make outstanding progress in early years because adults provide exciting activities which enable children to play and learn together extremely well.”

Miers Court’s success was put down to strong teamwork.

Inspector Margaret Coussins said staff worked well together and teachers have good relationships with pupils and motivate them so that they learn well.

To improve, the school, in Silverspot Close, Rainham, needs to be more consistent with marking and must raise teaching standards.

Also doing well is Park Wood Infants.

In her report inspector Julie Sackett said: “Teachers’ enthusiasm iseflected in pupils’ excitement about learning. Parents are well informed about their children’s progress. The school is a happy, caring and inclusive community.”

The more able pupils must now be challenged to a greater extent, outdoor areas used more and sports participation increased to gain the Outstanding grading.