KENNINGTON Primary Academey has been rated "good" by Ofsted.

The South Ockendon school was inspected for the first time since it became Thurrock's first independent primary academy in October 2012.

The school is the second in as many months to be graded "good" by the Government's education watchdog.

Inspectors visited the school in Tamar Drive last month and praised head teacher Jo Sawtell for "ensuring everyone is focused on improving teaching and raising the pupils’ achievement".

The report found, too, that teaching was "good and improving" and it also reserved plenty of praise for pupils, finding that "pupils try their hardest in lessons" and that they are "polite and well-mannered".

The school was found to be good in June 2010, at its last inspection, but this glowing report has delighted Ms Sawtell. She said: "The report clearly shows how hard all members of the academy work to ensure that all pupils make good progress. 

"It reflects our focus on individual pupils. We are not outstanding yet, but are certainly on our way!"

John Kent, leader of Thurrock Council and also its education chief, said: "I would like to congratulate headteacher Jo Sawtell and her staff for the hard work they have put in.

"Clearly this has benefitted both their pupils and the school’s reputation."

He added: "The Thurrock Education Awards now underway offer the chance for pupils, parents and others to recognise the sort of leadership and effective teaching the inspectors found. These are the things that will ensure our children have the chances they deserve."

Another Thurrock primary school is expecting to receive a positive report from Ofsted next week, representing a subtle change in the tide in primary education here.