A school has been awarded a good rating by inspectors for the first time, as primary education in Havering celebrates its best year ever.

Towers Junior School, Windsor Road, Hornchurch, has been celebrating gaining the approval of Ofsted’s inspectors at a visit in December.

Executive headteacher, Jan Lobley, said: “I am of course delighted with our recent good Ofsted rating.

“Every member of staff here has given over and above in order to raise standards for our pupils.

“We are so proud of our children who welcomed the Ofsted inspectors into our school and demonstrated our high standards.”

Inspectors rated the school good in all areas and said: “As a result of improvements in teaching, all pupils, including disadvantaged pupils, pupils with disabilities and those with special educational needs, make good progress in reading, writing and mathematics.”

It was also reported that “Pupils are very polite, kind and courteous. Their behaviour is good, and they have strong attitudes to their learning.”

Towers is not the only Havering school celebrating.

Primary education in the borough has been ranked seventh best in the country, an increase from 15th last year and 25th two years ago.

On top of this schools’ achievements include an outstanding Ofsted rating for Hacton Primary School, Chepstow Avenue, Hornchurch.

In a report into the school inspectors said: “Pupils’ academic outcomes are high compared with pupils nationally, including most-able and disadvantaged pupils.”

Broadford Primary School, Faringdon Avenue, Harold Hill, has also been named one of the top 100 performing schools in the country and Scargill Infant School, Mungo Park Road, Rainham, became the first in the borough to win a Healthy Schools London Gold Award.

Cllr Meg Davis, Havering Council’s cabinet member for children and learning, said: “This has been a tremendous year for Havering’s primary schools, the best ever, and the credit belongs to the teachers and pupils who have worked so very hard.

“We’re looking forward to even better results next year.

“We’re hugely proud of our schools and it’s no surprise that demand for places is at an all time high.

“There are many excellent reasons for living in Havering, but the quality of our schools is certainly one of them.”