A PRIMARY school is celebrating after being rated good by Ofsted.

Friars Primary School and Nursery, in Shoebury, had been told to improve by inspectors in 2013.

However, under the guidance of executive headteacher Cheryl Woolf, the school is now rated good in all areas.

The education watchdog praised the leadership team, teaching and curriculum.

Mrs Woolf, who is also head of West Leigh Junior School, in Leigh, said: “We are extremely pleased to have the achievements of our school officially recognised so definitively and so positively. I am very proud of our children and of the staff and governor team at Friars. It has been a pleasure to work with such talented and committed professionals. We have valued the positive and encouraging support of our parent community.”

Anne Jones, Southend councillor responsible for education, said: “Congratulations to all at Friars for this tremendous result. It is a hugely well deserved tribute to the enthusiastic and diligent efforts of everyone who attends the school, who teaches there or who supports the work of the school in any way.”