LESSONS at a north Essex primary school take place with "a buzz of excitement", Government inspectors found.

When Ofsted visited Fordham All Saints Primary School, they gave the school the top "outstanding" grade in 26 out of 27 criteria.

Inspector Ruth Frith described the 104-pupil school as "an outstanding school where pupils flourish".

Teachers were praised for "excellent" teaching which "engenders excitement and enjoyment in pupils' learning" and means achievement levels "are typically above average and are sometimes exceptionally high".

Headteacher Gordon Malcolm was highlighted for "a clear vision for the school based on his high expectations and commitment to the pupils, their families and the local community".

The school has a "wide range of popular enrichment activities", with 15 clubs and activities organised before and after school, and pupils have a "particularly well developed" sense of place in the local community.

The only area for improvement identified by Mrs Frith was better target-setting "to ensure greater consistency in standards from year to year", but it was still described as "good".

Mr Malcolm said he was "very proud" of the report, and said that teamwork was key "There is no weak link at the school, with everyone from cleaners to teachers and dinner ladies to parents committed, and working incredibly hard," he said.

"We are only a four-class school, and every staff member has multiple responsibilities.

"But rather than being restricted and offering less than larger schools, we are doing more with the full support of the community."

Mr Malcolm said that the school was "not complacent" and was already looking to improve its target-setting for pupils.

"We know our children individually and try to set individual work programmes to help everybody achieve their full potential," he said.

YEAR 11 at Tiptree's Thurstable School has won a pat on the back from Ofsted.

A Government team visited the 1,166-pupil comprehensive last month, and decided it was "good and improving".

Their conclusion was prompted by the work of this year's final-year teenagers.

In a letter with the report, the inspectors said: "What clinched our judgment of good' was the big improvement in standards of work in year 11."

In most aspects, the Maypole Road school and sports college was judged to be be a grade two or good, though standards in the 134-student sixth form were grade three or satisfactory.

The department head had "forged a common sense of purpose, aimed at improving all aspects".

Elsewhere, achievement was good', with the 2007 tests at 14 bringing above average results in English.

At key stage three, standards and progress were deemed as above average.

The one outstanding grade went to the governors for the way they do their duties.

Meanwhile, Miles Bacon, headteacher since 2006, was praised for providing "outstanding personal leadership".

EDUCATION inspectors have heaped praise on a village school, awarding it the best score possible for its latest inspection.

Ofsted described Feering Primary School as outstanding in every category, much to the delight of headteacher Greg Waters, who leaves his post after five years at the end of term.

The 42-year-old, who is moving to Chelmsford, said of the report: "I think it is a wonderful report and shows what a brilliant school this is."

Mr Waters puts success down to everyone working together well and said the children were well behaved and worked hard, while parents were supportive.

Inspector Roderick Passant said pupils consistently attained high standards and made excellent progress academically and in their personal development.

Children have achieved "exceptionally high standards" at the end of year six and teachers are highly skilled and planned a vibrant curriculum.

Mr Passant said pupils enjoyed school and made an excellent contribution to their school community.

He said Mr Waters' leadership was outstanding and his staff were an "extremely effective" team, adding: "The school is highly effective because, when all the elements are put together, the impact of the school is so much greater than the sum of the individual parts.

A PRIMARY school has been praised as "good" with some "outstanding" features.

St Peter's Primary School, Coggeshall, has received positive feedback from Ofsted.

Inspector Simon Griffiths wrote: "This is a good school. It has many good features and some that are outstanding.

"By the time they leave, most pupils consistently attain standards above those nationally."

The school had its last inspection in 2002 and this report highlights that progress has been made since then.

Peter Anderson, headteacher, said: "We are delighted to receive such a good report."

The school received good ratings for teaching and provision, and it was outstanding with regard to its curriculum and activities.