A HEADTEACHER says she is on top of the world after her school achieved a rare accolade of being rated outstanding by Ofsted twice in a row.

The Appleton School, in Benfleet, is one of just a handful in the country to get the top grade for the second time.

Ofsted inspectors gave the school an outstanding grade in all four of the assessment categories – achievement of pupils, quality of teaching, behaviour and safety of pupils and leadership and management.

Headteacher Karen Kerridge said: “Getting our Ofsted outstanding grade twice made me feel a little like Mo Farrah receiving two gold medals in the Olympics last year.

“The inspection process confirmed our own self evaluation of the school.

“The Appleton School is an outstanding school and it was a real delight and privilege for an external team of inspectors to also judge our school as outstanding.

“It is particularly pleasing to have the school graded as outstanding in 2010 and again in 2013 under a different Ofsted framework.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank my staff, who work so hard each day in supporting our students, and to thank our students for the role they play each day in making the Appleton School an outstanding school.”

During the inspection in July, inspectors observed 43 lessons, interviewed staff and parents, looked at pupils’ work and studied parent questionaires.

Inspectors said pupils’ progress at the school was so impressive, youngsters who joined the school with average attainment often left with top marks.

They rated standards of teaching as “outstanding” and described pupils’ behaviour as “courteous and considerate”

adding “attitudes to learning are exemplary”.

Inspectors added: “Appleton provides excellent learning opportunities and promotion of students’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development mean students’ interests and aspirations are met.

“The governing body gives an excellent balance of challenge and support to the headteacher and staff, who have worked closely together to create an environment where teaching continues to improve, and learning can flourish.”