Ofsted inspects and rates all state schools across England to judge the quality of education pupils are receiving.

According to the latest ratings, four schools in Colchester have been rated as 'outstanding'.

Here is a list of all the schools that have been given the rating.

Hamilton Primary School

The school was rated outstanding back in 2014. A monitoring inspection was held last year but no rating was issued due to the pandemic. 

The report said: "Pupils are studying their normal range of subjects. Leaders aim to return to the usual planned curriculum by the summer term 2021.

"At the beginning of the autumn term, teachers checked pupils’ starting points in reading, writing and mathematics. Leaders found that pupils had not fallen far behind in these subjects during the time they were not in school.

"In mathematics, teachers are revisiting areas to give prompts to pupils to make sure they remember what they learned previously before moving on to new learning."

Read more >> The 26 schools in Essex rated 'inadequate' or 'requires improvement' by Ofsted

The Gilberd School

The school was rated outstanding across the board in November 2018. 

The report said: "The school’s key strength is its commitment to a well-rounded education. In addition to academic success, pupils gain the necessary skills to succeed in life through the thoughtful and wide-ranging promotion of pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.

"The personal development and welfare of pupils are central to the school’s work. This results in highly confident, mature and polite young people. Behaviour around the school and in lessons is excellent.

"The academic progress and attainment of pupils of different backgrounds and abilities across a wide range of subjects are consistently above average."

St Teresa's Catholic Primary School

The school was given the outstanding rating back in 2014. 

The report said: "Pupils have an outstanding education at St. Teresa’s. They are exceptionally well prepared for their futures both academically and in their personal development.

"Pupils in all year groups make outstanding progress. By the end of Year 6, pupils are at least one year ahead of those of a similar age in reading, writing, mathematics and science. Around a quarter are two years ahead.

"All staff set very high expectations for pupils’ achievement; tasks are challenging. Basic skills are taught exceptionally well."

Montgomery Infant School and Nursery

The school was rated outstanding back in 2013. 

The report said: "Pupils make outstanding progress and in most years they achieve exceptionally well in reading, writing and mathematics. They also demonstrate very high quality work in physical education, art and design and music.

"Pupils’ excellent achievement is due to outstanding teaching. Staff have a wide range of skills and experience. They make excellent use of their own interests and talents to provide a wide range of interesting activities.

"Pupils’ behaviour is exemplary. Their very positive attitudes to learning have a strong impact on their progress. They demonstrate great pride in their work and their school."