Pupils and parents have praised the teachers' efforts after a Witham school was given the highest Ofsted rating for the first time in its history.

Maltings Academy, in Spinks Lane, came top of the class when inspectors rated it "outstanding" this week.

Just two years ago, bosses were told they needed to improve the quality of teaching and pupils' achievement.

Thrilled principal John Szynal said it was a credit to everyone involved for the huge leap from "requires improvement" to "outstanding".

Joanne Taylor and James Clancy said they were impressed with how the school had helped their daughter Aimee Buxton, 15, study for her GCSEs.

Aimee arrived at the school in 2011 after she had lived with her family in Spain and attended a Spanish school.

Joanne said: "At that time, her Spanish was better than her English. Because of the teaching here, her English has gone from strength to strength."

See this week's Witham Times for a full two-page spread on Maltings Academy's success.