Walton's popular primary school has received a glowing report from inspectors.

The news comes just days after the school was revealed as one of Tendring's best performers.

The school, which dates from 1872 and now boasts 266 pupils, was described by Ofsted as "a very good school" which provided "very good value for money".

"The pupils enter the school at below average standards of attainment but when they leave, standards in English, mathematics and science are higher than those found in similar schools," states the report.

"This is due to the very good leadership and management of the headteacher, governors and the staff, which are effective in improving the school and raising standards. The quality of teaching is good overall and promotes the pupils' progress well."

Performance-wise, the standards achieved by 11-year-olds in English, maths and science were either above average or well above average compared with similar schools.

Pupils' attitudes to the school were "good" and their behaviour "very good". Since its last inspection in 1996, the school had made "a very good improvement".

"At key stage 2, standards are now both higher than they were at the time of the school's last inspection and above those found in most schools in eight of the 11 subjects taught."

The reports added, however, that the school still had an excellent capacity to improve further due to its very high quality leadership and management and the shared commitment which it has to improvement.

Mary Bryan, chairman of the governors, paid tribute to the hard-working head Keith Grant and his deputy Jackie Sharman, as well as the other staff, pupils and parents for their support.

Areas for improvement included standards in science at the end of key stage 1 and curricular provision for children in the foundation stage and year 1 in a mixed age class.

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