TEACHERS and students at a primary school are celebrating after receiving an outstanding grade in its first Ofsted inspection.

High Cliff Academy, in Southdown Road, Newhaven, received the highest grading in all five of its key services, namely leadership, teaching, welfare, outcome for pupils and early years provision.

Ofsted officials inspected the school last month and praised the headteacher for having an unwavering attitude in providing the best experiences for pupils.

The report read: “All staff display a deep commitment to the headteacher’s vision. They are expertly encouraged and enabled to contribute to this vision.

“Governors carry out their duties conscientiously and rigorously. They understand the school well, visit regularly and know how effectively pupils learn.

“Teachers plan highly engaging and effective lessons. Teaching is very strong, and standards are rising rapidly.

“Pupils are happy, motivated and excited to come to school. They demonstrate an excellent attitude to their learning and are growing in confidence.”

Inspectors also praised the school for offering an “inspiring” curriculum for pupils.

They also found parents feel confident the school provides a very safe and happy environment for their children.

The report read: “Safeguarding is a strength. Parents have complete confidence that leaders deliver the highest standards of safety and protection for their children.

“The school is a nurturing and inclusive environment. Pupils are happy, motivated and excited to come to school.”

Abby Kilgarriff, headteacher, was absolutely thrilled with the news.

She said: “We were pleased that Ofsted recognised that the headteacher and trust leaders had worked together to ensure that the school has rapidly improved, which supports our explicit ‘one team’ ethos.

“This is particularly pleasing, given that when High Cliff joined STEP Academy Trust in January 2017, it was in a very vulnerable educational and financial position.

“This result therefore represents the significant efforts of the head and her team, as well as the power of being part of STEP.”

Dominic Herrington, the Regional School Commissioner for South-East England and South London, stated: “This is a tremendous report which is testimony to the hard work of everyone at STEP Academy Trust.

“My congratulations to all those who are helping children receive an excellent education. High Cliff is the only outstanding primary school in Newhaven and we were thrilled to share the news with the school community.”