Proud pupils are jumping for joy after their school was rated good for the first time in its history.

New Rickstones Academy, in Conrad Road, Witham, passed its latest Ofsted inspection with flying colours after being told it needed to improve in four out of five areas in 2013.

The school, now run by the Academies Enterprise Trust, opened as the Rickstones School in 1977.

After an inspection on January 13 and 14, it was graded good in all categories, including management, pupil behaviour and safety, quality of teaching, pupil achievement and sixth form provision.

Inspectors concluded the school had undergone a “rapid improvement” since 2013 and the attainment gap between disadvantaged pupils and other pupils is “closing rapidly”.

Head Trenica King, who has lead the school since July 2012, said she, her 115 staff and 489 pupils, now have their sights set on outstanding status.

She said: "We are absolutely delighted."

See this week's Witham Times for more.