CHRISTMAS has come early for one primary school after they received a good rating from Ofsted.

Staff and students at Westdene Primary School in Brighton are celebrating a good rating after a short inspection by Government inspectors.

Headteacher Debbie Crossingham said she could not be happier about the inspection.

She said: “We are delighted the report celebrates the strengths of the school and achievement of our pupils.”

The report praised the “strong and ambitious” leadership at the school and the “culture of high expectations of teaching and pupils’ achievement”.

The report read: “Pupils achieve well because teaching is strong, providing pupils with many interesting and challenging learning opportunities.

“Outcomes for pupils are consistently above those seen nationally at the end of each key stage. Pupils make good progress from their different starting points.

“In most year groups, disadvantaged pupils achieve as well as other pupils because staff understand and meet their needs well.”

The curriculum at the school in Bankside, Westdene, was also highlighted helping it achieve highly in subjects other than maths and English.

The report stated: “You rightly take great pride in the varied, exciting curriculum that the school offers for pupils. Pupils talk with great enthusiasm about the many interesting visits and visitors that enhance their learning.

“Trips to such places as Fishbourne Roman palace, Glyndebourne Opera and the RNLI station at Shoreham all bring learning to life.”

The school also provides swimming lessons for all pupils in Key Stage 2 every year to help them become strong swimmers by the time they leave school.

Ofsted found many parents were also pleased with their child’s progress at the school.

The report said: “Parents are overwhelmingly positive about the school.”

The school was previously rated good at its last inspection in 2013, when it dropped from outstanding.

Ofsted inspector Bruce Waeland recommended school bosses ensure the most able pupils and disadvantaged pupils are provided with regular opportunities to apply and develop their skills in a range of extended writing tasks across the curriculum.

He added teachers should increase the depth of pupil’s knowledge and understanding in science.

The school has over 700 hundred pupils and 66 teachers and teaching assistants.