HOLY Cross Catholic Primary School is the latest school in the borough to be celebrating a turnaround after Ofsted ranked it “good” in an inspection.

The South Ockendon primary made the leap since inspec - tors said it required improvement in its last inspection.

Inspectors in the report rated the school on Daiglen Drive “good” in all four key areas, as well as “outstanding” for Per - sonal Development, Welfare and Behaviour.

Head teacher Maria Shepherd, who took over the reins of the school in 2009, said she was “absolutely delighted”.

“Everybody is delighted with the results of the report. In a school which has high mobility of pupils, and despite all the barriers to progress this presents, now we feel we have got the results we deserve.

“This report is a great testament to all the hard work of the staff, pupils and governors and the support of the parents.

“We look forward to continuing to improve the school to achieve outstanding in all areas.”

Singled out for particular praise in the report were work presentation, school attendance, welfare and the moral curriculum, as well as support for pupils with special educa - tional needs, disabilities and learning English as a foreign language.

Inspectors wrote: “Leaders ensure opportunities for pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural education and values are woven into every aspect of school life.”

They also said since the last inspection, teaching and out - comes had been improved.

Inspector Tim Bristow wrote: “They are now good, particularly in reading and writing. Pupils leave the school well prepared for the next stage of their education.”

The school achieved a “good” rating in the areas of Leadership and Management, Quality of Teaching Learning and Assessment, Pupil Outcomes, Early Years Provision.