A SCHOOL is celebrating after being handed a rare outstanding rating by Ofsted.

Mayflower High School, in Stock Road, Billericay received the rating from the education regulator following an inspection in March.

The report praised the school for its leadership and management and the quality of teaching, learning and assessment.

The report states that the school's headteacher has focused his leadership team and staff on keeping the school’s excellent culture and ethos, and on improving the quality of teaching.

Lee Brumby, headteacher, said: "I am absolutely delighted with the judgment following the inspection.

"Ofsted visited our school on March 8 and 9 and it is great to be able to tell staff, students, and the community that we have received the outstanding report.

"I want to say a big thank you to everybody especially the staff, school governors, parents and the community for all the support in recent times.

"It is a wonderful outcome and is well deserved. What makes our school so special is the students, their behaviour is impeccable and our school is a pleasant place to work and to learn for both staff and students.

"It is a pleasure to be headteacher at Mayflower High School and we are looking forward to the future."