A school in Erith that had been put into 'special measures' by Ofsted inspectors has received some welcome new year news.

Lessness Heath Primary School has been rated 'good' with outstanding features following an inspection in December.

This is the first inspection since the school in Hoddesdon Road was converted into an academy, with the predecessor school being plunged into 'special measures' in 2014.

Headteacher Kate O'Connor, said she was surprised when she took over in 2016 that the school had been rated poorly.

She said: "Officially we are a new school, but when I took over I could not imagine the children behaving poorly. I believed in the children’s abilities and talents and that the school needed a strong leadership direction with high expectations to make improvements in outcomes.

"It was great to get some recognition for all the hard work everyone has put in.

"We have all worked hard to make sure everybody knows the goals we have. The children, parents, staff and governors, everybody knows what we want to achieve.

"We have put the children at the centre of it all, and brought in a new curriculum. And, with new senior leadership, we have been able to get what we worked for. We were expecting it, but only because we had worked hard."

Inspectors found that students at Lessness Heath made good progress throughout the school, and teaching is good and in some cases outstanding.

A broad curriculum and favourable comments from parents also contributed to the school's rating.

Inspectors said: "Children in the early years make excellent progress in their learning and social development. This is because of consistently good care and a well-organised, stimulating and secure environment."

"The headteacher’s drive and strategic vision have been instrumental in bringing about rapid school improvement. The headteacher, with the support of the trust and the governing body, has created a strong and resourceful leadership team.

"Pupils are particularly good at listening to, and valuing, the views of others."