IF THERE IS one Thurrock primary school that operates as a weather vane for the fortunes of the primary schools in the borough, then it is Orsett primary.
Led from the front by headteacher, Lallie Godfrey, the school has come on, leaps and bounds, since Mrs Godfrey took over just over two years ago.
Speaking to Your Thurrock, Mrs Godfrey said: “We are absolutely delighted with the outcome as it confirms the impact of the changes that we have been making since September 2010.
“It is also worth mentioning that in the feedback with the team just before the final judgement. many aspects of achievement, teaching and overall effectiveness also got outstanding judgements and indeed the main challenge for us now is to ensure that the large majority of our teaching is consistently outstanding.
“This is a challenge that we will all relish and we are determined that, as a school, we will continue to improve still further. As I often say, ‘You don’t have to be sick to get better’. Therefore, we will continue to work hard to maintain and improve the existing high quality of education for each and every child in our care.
On a personal note, I would very much like to thank everybody; staff, governors, parents, children and our community for working so hard over the past two years to achieve this wonderful result.
“When I arrived in September 2010 we joined together to create a Vision for our school and it has been through the consistent hard work, dedication and support of every member of my team and of so many others that we are now not only judged to be a good school but one with many outstanding features.
The report has been welcomed by Cllr Oliver Gerrish – the portfolio holder for education.
He said: “Orsett primary has gone from ‘satisfactory’ to ‘good’ with two ‘outstanding’ areas – exactly what we are looking for in all our schools.
“I want to pass on my congratulations to the head teacher, the governing body, staff, pupils and parents; everyone has to work together for this sort of success.”
The school scored “outstanding” in the Behaviour and safety of pupils and the Leadership and management areas, and “good” in Achievement of pupils and Quality of teaching.
Cllr Gerrish added: “The report opens with the words: ‘Governors and school leaders have a very clear vision and work relentlessly to improve the school. As a result, pupils make rapid progress and achieve well’.
“I don’t think we can ask for more and I was so pleased by the news when I first heard it that I nearly let the cat out the bag at full council last week.”
