A SCHOOL is celebrating after receiving an ‘outstanding’ rating from watchdogs.

Home Farm Primary in Colchester, was given the top rating by Ofsted after an inspection.

The school has maintained its ranking, after first being rated outstanding in 2016.

Home Farm has seen an improvement after being rated 'satisfactory' in 2007 and then 'good' in 2010.

Ofsted said the school is a "close knit, friendly community".

The report said: “Pupils enjoy their time at school, they attend regularly and behave extremely well.

“Pupils are very eager to learn, they want to do their best, and they participate enthusiastically in their lessons.

“They respond well to teachers’ high expectations of what they can achieve."

The report said the school ethos is instilled throughout.

It said: “Pupils’ achievements and differences are recognised and celebrated.

“The school’s nurturing ethos contributes to all pupils feeling safe and happy, and pupils epitomise the school’s aims to ‘believe in yourself, inspire others, and grow your mind’.”

Home Farm was also praised for its high quality education, including its strong curriculum and teachers’ subject knowledge.

The report said: “The multi-academy trust and governors ensure that procedures to keep pupils safe from harm are followed rigorously.

“Information on staying safe is provided in assemblies and relationships, sex and health education lessons.

"Pupils know the risks of working online, and older pupils know how to spot online risks and scams."

The school, in Shelley Road, was inspected over two days in October.

It currently has 362 pupils on its roll, from Reception to Year 6.

Headteacher Richard Potter said: “We are pleased and proud of our school community, and we welcomed the opportunity to demonstrate to Ofsted the great things that our pupils, parents, staff and governors have achieved together.

“We believe in the importance of treating children as individuals and in giving them a rounded and rewarding educational experience, and we were pleased that Ofsted recognised this, particularly given the very stringent nature of the new inspection framework.”