A school on the brink of closure eight years ago has won an award for its improvements.

RJ Mitchell Primary, in Hornchurch, was under the threat of closure after a low satisfactory rating from Ofsted in 2005.

But after teaming up with Edison Learning, a specialist education company that helps schools to improve, it is now among the top schools in the borough, with a 97 per cent achievement rate in English and mathematics and a good Ofsted rating.

Headteacher Barry Read put in place new strategies for staff team working, partnering with parents, tracking pupils’ progress, developing their personal, social and thinking skills, and monitoring and improving teaching.

Mr Read said: “I am delighted by the award and see it as recognition of all the hard work that staff, children and governors have put in.

“The link with Edison Learning has been huge and they have helped us take the school in the direction that we have gone.

“I am very proud to be headteacher of a wonderful school with some very hard working professionals and supportive families.

“When we started with Edison we were a satisfactory school and now we are a good school as recognised by Ofsted.

Tim Nash, CEO of Edison Learning, said: “The staff, pupils and parents at RJ Mitchell Primary School all thoroughly deserve this award.”