TWO struggling primary schools have been praised by Ofsted after their latest inspection showed drastic improvements.

The Phoenix Primary School and Briscoe Primary Academy have both been given positive feedback after recent monitoring reports by inspectors. Phoenix Primary was judged as failing in September 2012 with Briscoe going into special measures in 2001. However, both are now heading in the right direction to be removed from restrictions.

The report about Pheonix Primary School by inspector David Jones said: “Achievement is improving and standards in reading, writing and mathematics are rising. The quality of teaching was notably stronger than is common for schools in a category of concern; inadequate teaching has been eliminated.”

Headteacher Tracy Ahern was praised her focus on school improvement. Mrs Ahern took over the 310-pupil Phoenix Primary School in September 2011 when it was on a notice to improve and says the school has made huge strides since it went into special measures.

She added: “We are pleased with the report and feel it is a true reflection of where we are at as a school. The school will be in a position to come out of special measures as good in the summer or September depending on when the SATs data is published.

The former Briscoe Primary School, in Felmores End, Pitsea, became Briscoe Primary Academy in September. As a new school it has no official Ofsted rating but high-flying executive headteacher Debbie Rogan - who is also head of the Wickford C of E Infant School, which is working alongside Briscoe - says she is delighted with the latest report.

She said: “The school has done the best it possibly could in this inspection but that is what we expected. We have made great strides in writing and there are some high levels of attainment. Maths needs some improvement but that will be rectified by the end of the key stage. All in all we are very happy.”

The report by inspector Phillip Mann said: “Pupils say that they are much happier in school because behaviour has improved, and that this has been noticed by their parents.”

A number of failing schools in the borough have been praised in recent weeks. Cherry Tree Primary School, on Church Road, and the Basildon Academies have both shown signs of improvement and both are confident that they will be out of special measures by the end of the year.