A primary school is celebrating being rated good after spending three years in special measures.

Lansdowne Primary in Gladstone Road, Sittingbourne, was visited by Ofsted inspectors in 2013, who judged it to be inadequate.

But when they returned last month, they said it was now a good school overall, with outstanding effectiveness of leadership and management and early-years provision.

The school, which has 420 pupils, was taken over by The Stour Academy Trust in 2014 at the request of the Department for Education.

The report highlights the leadership, which it says “provided accelerated improvement”, resulting in the quality of education being “transformed in recent years”.

It adds: “Leaders’ unremitting focus on improving pupils’ outcomes has established and stabilised a palpable culture of high expectations.

“Leaders and staff demonstrate the highest aspirations for pupils to achieve well, feel safe, and be happy.”

Ofsted said the positive changes had been “rapid and sustained”.

It highlighted two areas for possible improvement. One is making sure pupils, particularly those in upper key stage 2, model the school’s values and expectations for behaviour consistently in all aspects of school life.

Inspectors also want to see attendance rates continue to rise, particularly for disadvantaged pupils.

Stour Academy Trust CEO Simon O’Keefe said: “This has been a particularly challenging few years.

“The school was in an exceptionally poor position and in need of rapid improvements in all areas.

“I am delighted the hard work of pupils, staff and governors has been recognised, and would like to pay tribute to head teacher Annette Bevan, who has displayed great resilience and determination in driving the school forward.”

To read the full report, visit www.lansdowne.kent.sch.uk.