A teacher has spoken with pride after her school - which caters for asylum seekers and children from hard-up families - scooped a top Government report.
Deputy headteacher Wanda Noakes, says Porters Grange Primary School, in Lancaster Gardens, Southend, is like an "inner city school in the middle of Southend".
Top of the class - Wanda Noakes, acting head of Porters Grange, is thrilled with Ofted's comments Picture: MAXINE CLARKE
Pupils speak 23 different languages and more than 50 per cent are entitled to free school meals.
But the school has been praised by Ofsted inspectors for being a "good and caring school in challenging circumstances".
Mrs Noakes said the achievement is remarkable because of a high turnover of pupils from difficult backgrounds.
She said: "There is a lot of temporary accommodation in our area and London boroughs send their asylum seekers here. It is like an inner city school in the middle of Southend."
The report praised the school's leadership and said: "Although standards attained are below the national expectations by the end of year six in most subjects, the pupils achieve satisfactorily in relation to the very low attainment in entry and the turbulence caused by so many entering and leaving the school at different times of the academic year."
The report praised the high commitment of staff to the welfare of pupils which "shines through everything they do".
Published Tuesday, May 27, 2003
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