PUPILS and teachers are celebrating top marks in their latest Ofsted inspection.

Highfields Primary School, in Colchester Road, Lawford, was graded as “outstanding” following the visit.

Headteacher Hilary Cook said: “I am delight all the commitment, hard work and energy that everyone has put into Highfields have been fully recognised.

“Our belief that only the best would do has made Highfields into the great school we know.”

Lead inspector John Lucas said the “respected” headteacher had provided outstanding leadership to help the school improve from good in its last inspection.

He added: “She has communicated her vision with great passion and clarity.

“As a result, adults work extremely well together and have been successful in their aim of making Highfields Primary School an exciting place to learn, rich with experiences that prepare children for later life.

“The sentiment of one pupil that ‘school is praised for like one big family’ was echoed by not only her peers throughout the inspection but also by adults working at the school.”

He added pupils’ results were outstanding with the overall attainment being very high at the end of Key Stage 1 and 2.

He said: “Pupils make outstanding progress from their individual starting points.

“Compassion is one of the key values of the school.

“This underpins the way adults approach their duty of care and is a distinctive feature of relationships at Highfields.

“Leaders ensure pupils are extremely well cared for.

“Pupils feel safe and know how to stay safe.

“They rapidly acquire the skills necessary to become confident learners.”

The early years provision was also described as outstanding.