PUPILS “behave and learn extremely well” at an infant school which has received the highest possible rating from Ofsted.

The Wickford Church of England School, in Mount Road, Wickford, has been rated “outstanding” in all areas by Ofsted after an inspection on September 13, and 14.

In the report, published on November 15, inspectors were full of praise for the school.

It stated: “Pupils are very happy at school. They feel safe, and they know exactly what to do to keep themselves safe, both in and out of school, as well as online.

“Pupils demonstrate the school’s values of happiness, esteem, achievement, respect and responsibility, value of truth, and service and spirituality in all that they do.

“Pupils behave and learn extremely well. They work hard to meet staff’s high expectations. Pupils have a positive attitude to their learning. They take pride in everything that they do and produce high-quality work.”

At the time of the inspection, there were 135 children at the infant school, all aged between two and seven.

On top of the praise for the pupils, inspectors also recognised how “ambitious” the curriculum was.

They added: “The school’s curriculum has been well thought through. It is highly ambitious, offering a wide range of subjects for all the pupils.

“The school has identified the essential knowledge and skills that each pupil should learn in each subject.

“Teachers use questioning and assessment very effectively. This helps pupils remember important knowledge and use it well.”

The Wickford Church of England School has now been rated “outstanding” for more than ten years.

Parents are “overwhelmingly positive” about the school.

The report added: “The school ensures that staff are highly motivated and skilled through effective professional development opportunities.

“The school promotes staff well-being through actively seeking and responding to staff’s views about what can make things even better for them and the pupils.

“Parents are overwhelmingly positive about the school and the progress that their children are making.”

The Wickford Church of England School has been contacted for comment by the Echo.