ONE of Braintree’s biggest primary schools is celebrating after inspectors rated it outstanding across the board for the first time.

St Michael’s Primary School, in Maple Avenue, Braintree, achieved top marks in leadership, quality of teaching, behaviour, results and early years provision, in its latest inspection.

The announcement makes St Michael’s the second outstanding rated primary school in Braintree, along with Lyons Hall Primary School in Deerleap Way.

Ofsted inspectors sat in on 20 lessons on December 15 and 16 and gave their glowing report to headteacher Mandy Short in the last week of the autumn term.

After five years with Mrs Short in charge, the school has gone from being rated satisfactory to outstanding.

Inspectors referred to the school as having a “very welcoming and inclusive ethos” as well as a broad and constantly changing curriculum.

Mrs Short said: “We are all delighted. It’s been the result of five years’ hard work.

“There has been considerable staff change here and everyone has been working tightly together to support each other.

“We are all so pleased about the comments made about the children. They have been singled out as having a fantastic attitude to their education.

“We are thrilled that’s been recognised.

“There are a lot of happy, smiley faces at St Michael’s today.”

Inspectors last visited the school in May 2012 when it was given a good rating.

The latest report describes teaching as “highly effective throughout the school” and inspectors commented on the “outstanding” behaviour of pupils.

It said: “Pupils are very well prepared for life in modern British society.

“They are taught to value all people and not to make judgements based on what people look like or what they believe.

“Pupils display excellent manners - such as holding doors open, saying ‘please’ and ‘thank you’, and standing back to let adults pass - and are a credit to their

school.”

This year’s Key Stage Two results were mentioned as being above the national average and rising.

Disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs are also mentioned as making good progress from their individual starting points.

Inspectors said: “The school is on a clear upward trajectory, and is continually improving, as a result of the headteacher’s exceptional leadership.”

The full report will be available on January 14 at reports.ofsted.gov.uk and is available to read now on the school website.