Stoke-by-Nayland Primary School celebrates turnaround from inadequate to good rating after latest Ofsted inspection

A celebratory mood has spread across a Suffolk village school, after it was praised for completing a rapid turnaround in its latest Ofsted inspection.

Stoke-by-Nayland Primary School was rated as good in all categories in a report published on Thursday – less than two years on from being graded as inadequate.

Following their visit in September, inspectors highlighted the school’s “strong family feel” and its “calm and harmonious atmosphere”.

Headteacher Kelly McGrath, said: “We were thrilled to have achieved a good rating from Ofsted.

“It is brilliant to see that all the hard work, which staff and pupils have put in, has been recognised.

“We are very proud of our school and are delighted that Ofsted inspectors were impressed by what they saw.”

The report described pupils as “kind and compassionate”, while also praising the wide range of extra-curricular activities provided at the school.

“Pupils strive to be the best that they can be at this small village school,” it read. “They want to learn and do well – they respond well to staff’s high expectations.”

“Pupils are happy and engaged in their lessons. This is because they are learning an ambitious and well-planned curriculum.”

Jane Sheat, chief executive of the St Edmundsbury and Ipswich Diocesan Multi Academy Trust, which manages the school, welcomed Ofsted’s findings.

“The trust is a strong collaborative network of 21 church primary schools in Suffolk,” she said.

“I am delighted that Ofsted recognised the progress made at Stoke-by-Nayland and the support provided by the trust.

“Being part of the trust brings benefits for staff and pupils, as we share good practice and work together to provide high-quality teaching and learning across all of our schools.”