A school is celebrating after achieving its first good rating by Ofsted.

Alec Hunter Academy, in Braintree, has progressed from requires improvement to good after its latest inspection.

The school, having researched Ofsted reports from previous inspections as far back as records permit, believe this is the first time the school has ever achieved this rating.

Headteacher Trevor Lawn said: “This outcome is just reward for the hard work we have invested over many years to improve the school.

“We have faced many challenges since being judged inadequate in 2012, although we did not agree with this grading at the time, and it is extremely pleasing that the rapid progress we have made has now been recognised officially.

“I should like to thank all the members of our community who kept faith with us throughout this period, many of whom shared their children’s positive experiences with the inspection team.”

The inspection team, which visited in July one week before the end of term, judged the school to be good in the areas of leadership and management, teaching, learning and assessment, and personal development, behaviour and welfare, while the report states that further improvement is needed in outcomes for pupils.

The areas for improvement include accelerating progress made by pupils in key stage three and raising the attainment of disadvantaged pupils.

Mr Lawn added: “I feel privileged to lead such a wonderful school, with dedicated, caring staff and students who demonstrate fervent pride in being members of Alec Hunter and we now look forward to building on this success to take the school further forward.

“We have received excellent support from our partner school, Saffron Walden County High, and our productive relationship with them has contributed significantly to the raising of standards at Alec Hunter.

“I am confident that this outcome will only serve to strengthen the bonds between our schools, for the benefit of all our young people.”